Geoff Merrill Reserve Chardonnay 2022

The blend here is 53% McLaren Vale fruit, with the remaining 47% from Coonawarra. It is a barrel selection from the best of the two regions and, after blending, the wine returns to new French oak for maturation for a year. Quite a deep yellow hue, this reflects the big and bold style of Chardy one might expect from these regions. It is chock full of flavour with peaches and cashew nuts, which give it some oak influence but it is melding well. There are some tropical flavours evident as well, again the mango and rockmelon though a little more refined here. Supple texture, good force and decent length. Good for anytime, though peaking in three to five years.