Ashbrook Chardonnay 2011

Estate-grown and hand-picked from 36-year-old vines; 50% is fermented and matured for eight months, and then blended with the 50% fermented and matured in stainless steel; it is bottled immediately thereafter, and held for a further 12 months prior to release. Gleaming pale green-gold colour leads into a largely fruit-driven bouquet and palate with white peach, melon and grapefruit all on display. It has excellent drive and depth, the oak evident throughout, but held well in check by the fruit. Drink by 2019. Score - 94. (James Halliday, winecompanion.com.au, July 11, 2013)