Howard Park Arbor Novae Margaret River Chardonnay 2019

Sustainability is a big issue for the wine trade which promises to become a more important part of our wine choices. Howard Park are getting on the train early with their Abor Novae range, with $1.50 from each bottle sold donated to Carbon Positive Australia to support local tree planting and landscape restoration. The pick of the bunch is this Margaret River Chardonnay. Pale light golden in colour, it shows the benefits of barrel and bottle aging with more simple youthful fruits now replaced by beautifully complex mellow aromas and flavours well integrated with attractive oak. Peach, nectarine and pithy fruits are on display with layers of creamed cashew and vanilla bean oak. Bright, powerful and concentrated, it’s then juicy on the palate with impact thanks to a bolt of tangy acidity which drives a long, strong finish. A serious wine here and great value.