2021 Ava Marie Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Ava Marie is whole bunch pressed and matured partially in amphorae for 12 months. It takes a little while to open, revealing candle wax, pressed white flowers and orange pith notes with aeration. The palate is slightly granular on the entry, just a faint underlying oatmeal note, with fine tension and a little chalkiness towards the finish. Lots going on here. An absorbing Chardonnay.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
100% 24-year-old Chardonnay on granite, a 2-ha vineyard. They keep their wines quite a while before release. Burgundy oak barrels, 500-litre, 90% average 3rd fill, 10% new. 10% 450-litre terracotta pots ex Florence. 12 months in barrel, sur lie, then 3 months in stainless tank, followed by 18 months in bottle. Light and pure on the nose. Lots of acidity at the moment – that’s the dominant note. Also quite chewy. It’s not yet ready! But there’s a lot buried underneath. (JR)