These are Bell Hill's oldest Chardonnay vines, planted in 1999. Whole-cluster pressed into 30% new barrels for ambient-yeast fermentation and 12 months of ageing and natural malolactic conversion. Spends an additional 7 months in tank before bottling. Aromas of lemon pith and crushed stones. Saline flavours of candied lemon peel and electric acidity have a brilliant, crystalline purity and an amazing lemon-oil brightness that lingers with a white-floral sweetness for a long time in the finish. Strikingly sensual and silky on the palate, while, at the same time, a clear, resonant chime of minerality echoes through a stone valley. Utterly riveting and quite likely the best New Zealand Chardonnay I've ever tasted. (AY)