Elanto Vineyard - Chardonnay - 2023

As with the pinot noir, this is the inaugural release and it’s a beauty, enticing immediately with aromas of citrus blossom, ginger flower, struck flint and warm, woodsy spice. There’s a savouriness within, alongside grapefruit and pith, lemon-infused creamy lees, grilled nuts and oak spice, all adding layers of flavour. Moreish, thanks to a whisper of sulphides, and while the fuller-bodied palate is shapely, super fine acidity extends the length and ties everything together. It’s worth noting how this comes to be, other than from fruit off the high-density vineyard: whole-bunch pressed to French oak, 25% new and mostly light toast Sirugue barriques, aged on lees for 10 months then popped into Nico Velo Tulipe concrete vessels for two months before bottling. 96 Points Jane Faulkner, The Halliday Wine Companion