Greystone Erin’s Reserve Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2018 $100
Before you ask (and I know you’re about to) this wine is absolutely. worth. every. cent. Expertly crafted by Dom Maxwell, awarded Winemaker of the Year accolades from both Decanter Magazine and Winestate Magazine, the Erin’s Reserve 2018 chardonnay could be, in my opinion, his greatest achievement ever. Named after the Thomas’ only daughter, the vineyard from where this chardonnay is sourced has 1ha planted in Mendoza clone on a steep, exposed hillside where deep limestone soils inject what I can only describe as superpowers of flavour concentration and minerality into the fruit. Just 576 bottles exist of this vegan-friendly wine which was hand-picked, crushed and fermented with wild yeasts and then aged for 15 months in 46% new French oak barriques before gentle settling and bottling on site. Everything about this wine speaks to delicacy, restraint and supreme care. With gorgeous aromas of buttered brioche sprinkled with cinnamon, roast nectarine and a hint of grilled grapefruit and guava, the palate is awash with ripe melon, juicy peach, vanilla and soft, smoky tones. The acidity has ballerina-like balance in the mouth, the oak wraps around the fruit like the finest pashmina and the way it unveils new layers of loveliness on the finish is incredibly seductive. You won’t want your glass to end. It’s THAT good. I wish I could give it ten stars.
