Chardonnay, 'Clay Shales'

Score

94

"This cool and exquisite chardonnay has notes of salted almonds, wild rice, orange curd, cardamom and digestive cookies. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it's deliciously salty, mineral and expressive in an understated way. Drink now or hold."

Score

90

"The 2023 Clay Shales comes from high-density plantings of Chardonnay close to Creation. Matured in around 25% new oak, this has a fresh and vibrant bouquet with just a touch of reduction that works to its benefit. The palate is very well balanced with an oaky entry and fine acidity, though it lacks the precision I found in the 2022 last year."

Score

90

Score

95

"Powerful, creamy and nutty in character there are notes of tropical fruits, lemon zest, subtle herbal twists and a long, crushed stone-driven finish. An impressive and weighty wine which retains great poise. Brothers Peter-Allan and Andrew Finlayson set up the winery in 2007 with Clay Shales produced from grapes grown in the Ridge wine ward at 300m. Whole-bunch pressed, and matured for 10 months in 500L French and Austrian barrels."

Score

93

"The 2022 Clay Shales includes fruit from vines planted in 2016, so production this year has expanded compared to previous vintages. This has a pretty bouquet with pressed white flowers, nectarine, and white peach and honeysuckle touches. The palate is well-balanced with fine grip, impressive structure and depth, more powerful than the Ferrum with a persistent finish. This is a great Chardonnay that should age well in bottle."

Score

92

"Instantly impressive in the glass, the 2022 Clay Shales Chardonnay opens with classic Chardonnay aromas of yellow apple and Meyer lemon that burst with a bright, floral essence and hints of wax melon. Medium-bodied and with 13.5% alcohol, the mouthfeel has a delicate mineral tension with succulent acidity. Lingering flavors of lemon pastry cream persist over the long, spicy finish. It's a fantastic Chardonnay that spent 10 months in all French oak, 20% new. Only 4,680 bottles were produced. Chardonnay lovers should seek out this beautiful bottling."

Score

92

Score

90

"A wide-open structure presents a core of apple jam with a white-flower freshness. That difference in shape makes the wine feel precise, and though it lasts with a crushed-stone energy, the flavors don,t stick around quite as long. "

Score

94