Rockburn Central Otago Chardonnay 2022 $32 
Central Otago is one of the harshest environments to grow grapes. Inland, mountainous and with almost no humidity, very low organic matter in the soils, weather extremes like you wouldn’t believe and crazy people who insist on hurling themselves off bridges and out of helicopters and into half-pipes on the ski fields. Using fruit sourced from both their Parkburn and Bannockburn sites which were fermented cool, in a combo of stainless steel tanks and barrels and then put through a full malolactic process, this chardonnay hits that balance between fresh, zesty citrus and nectarine notes alongside a soothing, creamy, almond-like finish. Definitely benefits from a hefty whoomph of oxygen and time in the glass to open up.
