Three Ponds Chardonnay 2021

Delivers Hunter Chardonnay’s signature sunny disposition that it is both generous, free flowing and surprisingly intense. Honeysuckle scents rise, to be joined by aromas of baked spice apple, lemon butter, peach and gentle tropicals. Oak plays a role here, it can’t be denied, with fermentation and maturation in French oak. It brings a lovely cohesion to the overall wine and contributes to texture and warmth of nougat flavour, and falls well within smart winemaking limits, something that adds rather than subtracts. Acidity is keen but, once again is managed well, bringing a clean, tight finish and drawing together the wine’s generosity of fruit into something that brings good length and a clean finish. A real exercise in smart wine growing and making in a year that marked a transition from drought to wet with plenty of January rains and with it, disease pressures. Well done.

Jeni Port Winepilot 93 Points

Hunter Chardonnay often fails to receive the love it deserves. Sure, the style is different, but no worse for that and it often offers extra levels of flavour. This example spent time in French oak puncheons. The colour is a rich yellow. The nose reveals that there is still some oak in the process of integrating and the wine will take a step up at that time. We have notes of nutmeg and a range of spices supporting stonefruits and peaches. Good focus here and a mid-weight style that is neatly balanced. With a soft finish, this is attractive drinking now and should continue to be for the next four to five years.

Ken Gargett Winepilot 91 Points