If I’ve interpreted the notes correctly, this vintage sees 100% of the wine to wild ferment (the 2018 was only 40%). Made by Teresa Huezenroeder, 30% of the blend was fermented & matured for 7 months in French oak, of which 10% new, the rest matured in 1-3 year old oak.

Hill-Smith Estate, Chardonnay, Eden Valley, 2019

Working hard to get much fruit lift: Some funk and earthy notes (a touch of white mushroom cap) interspersed with creamy white peach and grapefruit with nuances of blonde oak and just brushed-past kitchen herbs. There’s some flinty/struck match for complexity. Lean on the palate: starts fine, stays very straight and doesn’t deviate. Some cheesy/leesy funk and vanilla oak spice but otherwise, just ripe white peach slices with a fairly short finish. Does a little more than just be a “fresh dry white.”

RRP: $19
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 16.25/20 (86/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Hill Smith Estate