Mid straw gold. Nose a little closed at the moment, but it’s all there – ripe stone fruit with some nice fragrant tropical and lemon/citrus too, yeasty/mealy lees notes and just enough malo butter to be interesting. With time in the glass the wine opens and the aromas strengthen and are joined by some white florals.
On the palate it’s the nose repeated but with oomph. Ripe and sweet (but balanced by acid) peach, stone fruit, tropical and melon flavours. There’s a nice undertone of butter and meal, which gives the wine richness and complexity. Good mid-long finish with the sweet stone fruit notes lasting longest and making the wine already a great moreish summer drop.
Like the 2013, this will get even better, so buy a case or two of this and keep it – and grab the 2013 to try now.
Very good wine, and top value.
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
18.5/20 [tasted 17/10/15] https://bishchardonnay.wordpress.com/
Bought cellar door. Top value at RRP $20.00.