Evans & Tate, Redbrook Chardonnay, Margaret River

Pale lemon gold in colour, youthful in appearance. Shy on the nose at first, with smoke, grilled nuts, oak spice, white nectarine and grilled lemons. More spice, stone fruits and bitter lemons on the palate, in balance but not yet integrating, and with gun flint on the crisp finish. Not excessive ABV at 13%. This wine is in the slightly reductive style but is better balanced than most. Need some time to integrate, 2025? 18.25. Day 2 and a half …

Grape, Grain and Graze Festival (Sydney showgrounds, Sydney) : Medium minus intensity aromas of struck match, muted stone fruit, sweet spice. Juicy, slightly sour, lemon joins those stone fruit notes, slightly tangy but also a little closed. Hmm