Sourced from the Forest Edge vineyard, planted 1998 on the high slopes of Mount Canobolas in Orange, 3 hours west of Sydney. Whole bunch pressing, wild yeast and French oak maturation.

Brokenwood, Forest Edge Vineyard, Chardonnay, Orange, 2016

Opens with good nutty aromas, well supported by struck match sulfides. Complex aromas of meal, pith (both grapefruit and mandarin), quartz rock, peach slices, fig and the lightest wisp of Jersey caramel cream.  Quality balance between flavour, palate weight and texture. It surges with bittersweet citrus (as per the nose), restrained stone fruit and limey acidity with a pulsing mineral spine. Oak is deftly handled and thrusts the fruit into the spotlight. The finish is long  and dignified.

RRP: $55
Alc: 12.5%
Rating: 18/20

Wine sample courtesy of Brokenwood