The Wine Society (Kumeu River), The Society's Exhibition Chardonnay, Kumeu

Bought at Wine Soc’ UK approx £20 Juicy lively vibrant interesting Chardonnay, plenty of fruit balanced by vibrant acid; the oak is here but there’s a restraint and balance to it; light body only, maybe medium at best; lovely flavours and a bit of elegance here too; clearly has potential to get better with cellar time; near dry on the scale; ripe green apple, ripe lemon, some softer yellow apple too, a touch of greengages, there’s a fresh mineral profile …

West Auckland fruit. Screw cap. Immediately obvious I’ve opened it too early. Feels like it has the potential to be a 92 score within a few years. N….toasted oak, some caramel, dried banana, peach skin, all mild only C….light gold T….lively acid, or near it anyway; toasted oak, a bit of ripe banana, some citrus, near-dry on the scale; oak probably out of balance at this immature stage. Probably drinking much better by 2025, properly mature by 2028(?) Zero mineral …