Stoney Rise Chardonnay 2025

Fine cedar, green melon, white grapefruit, struck match, chalk dust, lemon pith and white florals kick things off in a higher tone before the wine deepens with air to show white peach, white pear and some subtle ground cinnamon dancing around the edges. Some nougat and toasted spice notes emerge with a further swirl of the glass. There’s tensility and crunchiness to the palate, clearly showing its youth, with chiselled fruit notes akin to the nose and the cedar and spice sitting very much in the background. There’s a fine sheath of chalky tannins adding texture more than frame, and a bright line of grapefruit acidity drawing good length and freshness. For such a young wine, there’s a lot on offer here and a promising future ahead as it relaxes and fleshes out with time.