Orin Swift Mannequin California Chardonnay 2018

The Californians certainly do Chardonnay their own way and here is a smart example of what West Coast Chardonnay is all about. However with fruit from some of its cooler parts, including the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands, this wine is a little more subtle than the usual local style.

It’s the colour of polished gold, thanks to its partial aging in New French Oak, which is followed by luscious ripe fruits – nectarine, peach and pineapple all wrapped up in a vanilla blanket of oak, dusted with malt. It’s then dry, voluptuous and creamy, driven by warming alcohol and tropical fruits with just a twist of acidity right on the finish. It is a thick and vicious style of chardonnay with generous power and length – a great introduction to what Californian Chardonnay has to offer.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Critic and publisher