Sacred Hill, Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, 2019

Bottled under screwcap, this Hawke's Bay Chardonnay will appeal to many who enjoy a New World Chardonnay. The fruit comes from Sacred Hill's Rifleman's Vineyard, where the soils (a mixture of volcanic ash and deep red metals, overlaying limestone) give low yields and concentrated fruit flavours. The wine is 60% barrel fermented in French oak (40% new) and aged sur lie for 10 months, with lees stirring. This is all peaches and cream, with some clean, zippy lemon fruit, and a hint of mango. Would be a great match for creamy pasta dishes, or chicken.