Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2016

Sourced from vines on the slopes of Mount Boucherie near the winery this 100% barrel fermented, lees stirred and underwent full malo. It pours bright, fairly deep yellow-gold. The nose is rich and generous with hazelnut, butter, cedar, gentle smokiness, vanilla and ripe peach. It is full bodied, fairly creamy and intense with lemony acidity and a nutty, custardy finish. Some mid-palate sourness, and a hint of wood tannin on the finish but it is not astringent. The length is excellent, echoing the hazelnut, spice and fruit. Score - 92. (David Lawrason, winealign.com, March 26, 2018)