2019 Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay [WE92]

Producer: Mt. Beautiful 
Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand 
Varietal: Chardonnay 
Year: 2019

New Zealand crafts opulent white wines of unrivaled finesse and elegance.  They are best known for their Sauvignon Blanc, but don't sleep on New Zealand Chardonnay!  Known as the Jewel of the South Pacific, New Zealand Chardonnay is the island's best kept secret.  It's among the world's finest and punches way above its weight.  New Zealand Chardonnay is generally characterized by an elegant balance of minerality, fruit purity and crisp acidity.  It's refined and fruit-driven.  In recent years, Chardonnay producers in New Zealand have stepped up their game in a big way.  They are very passionate about this variety, as a result bottlings are often of very high quality.  Many New Zealand Chardonnays exhibit depth and brightness akin to White Burgundy.   Dollar-for-dollar, these are some of the most thrilling Chardonnays on the planet and Mt. Beautiful leads the way.   Mt. Beautiful Winery is located in the North Canterbury growing region. Lauded by many critics as New Zealand’s most underestimated wine region, it’s a place that has begun to get some incredible recognition.  Mt. Beautiful’s wines are a stunning representation of the splendor of the region.  Mt. Beautiful's Chardonnay is easily mistaken for White Burgundy.  The 2019 Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay is classy, rich and concentrated with depth and elegance.  It's aromatic with notes of white nectarine and toasted sourdough.  On the palate, there are notes of nectarine, melon, grapefruit, wet stone, roasted almonds and cinnamon.  This fruit-driven Chardonnay is clean and crisp with crystalline minerality.  Its creamy texture makes it easy to drink.  Enjoy! 

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points 

"This is a classy Chard from the cool climes of North Canterbury. It's a rich, concentrated wine but one with depth and elegance. It takes its time opening, gradually revealing melon and grapefruit, backed by subtle toasty oak spice and wet stone mineral nuances. As it warms the fruit really sits in the driver's seat. The palate is highly textural and buoyed by crystalline acidity." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"An aromatic Chardonnay that displays white nectarine and toasted sourdough and lanolin aromas, the wine has a creamy texture that makes it easy to drink. Medium bodied with ripe nectarine like fruit, underlying notes of roasted almonds, cashew nuts and cinnamon quills ending with a clean and crisp finish and a lovely persistent minerality and savory toastiness." 

Alcohol: 13.5% 

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