GUM Chardonnay Cathedral Range 2022

Fruit from organically farmed forty-year-old vines rooted in volcanic soils at 400 metres on the northern slopes of the Cathedral Range. A combination of new Stockinger 500 litre oak and stainless steel for fermentation and ageing on lees for fourteen months, then four months in stainless steel on fine lees. Ripe finger lime, flint, makrut lime, and a dusting of quality oak spice make way for slivered almond, nougat, and a waft of cinnamon spice. Air and temperature unlock a lifted white jasmine note bringing prettiness. There’s a compelling blend of power and lifted complexity here. It’s impressive. The palate has a compact and tensile fruit profile led by lime juice and grapefruit, though with a foil of creamy texture to fill it out, and some spice and almond notes in the mix. A good lick of phenolic edge carries the lime and grapefruit notes long through the palate. There’s a lot going on here, and this will unfurl beautifully with time in cellar.