Black Estate Home Chardonnay 2021, Waipara, NZD $75
Here is a low sulfur wine which is masterfully nurtured. Reminiscent of Julien Guillot’s Clos des Vignes du Mayne wines, it walks that fine line between wild oxidation and complexity whilst being undeniably impressive, concentrated and seriously fine. Not for everyone, but Black Estate has established itself in the firmament of NZ New Wave producers with its sights on international standards.
Slightly cloudy, mid-gold appearance. Complex, nearly oxidative layers of spice, honey, butterscotch, ripe melon, cashew and faint smokiness. Deep, enveloping and mysterious. Rounded in the mouth with intense flavours combining rich, ripe and nutty fruit, phenolic grip, oxidative complexity and a deeply savoury, saline back-palate. Palate-staining and balanced towards saltiness and phenolics without being lean. Lots of energy here, pairing notes of nutty, savoury development with zingy (though not particularly high) acidity and length—distinctly a ‘natural’ wine, yet also seriously concentrated and iconoclastic. (Screwcap)
Score: 95 ★★★★★ – view original tasting note
Alcohol: 14%
Ageing: now to 2030
Food: roast game bird with chestnuts and celeriac
Stockists: Black Estate Wines
Ranked: #34 of 199 2021 Chardonnay from New Zealand
Awarded: Top Rank
This Article was originally published on The Real Review
