Novum Chardonnay 2019

Hard to compete with Ned’s note below. For me this is all about layer upon layer of flavour and a gradual build of texture from front to back. Stone fruit, of course, but more evident is the cashew nut and meal that is presented in gradual, gentle waves of flavour. It’s deep but has an inner shine of freshness and primary fruit that is still all very youthful and energetic. Extremely good Chardonnay, and the “best ever white” to come out of Marlborough according to dad. – Ches Cook, FWC. 

“A limpid pale yellow augurs restraint. Very savoury. Chalky and oyster shell-saline, with the fruit a flashback rather than primary focus. Riffs on oatmeal biscuit, apricot pith, barley sugar, nashi pear and raw cashew are reeled across a spool of tensile acidity, punctuated with a gentle pucker. A high-wire act, this is balletic in its elegance and confident in the way it moves across the mouth. Some sexy oak nestled in there somewhere as an adjunct rather than a scream. Nothing jangly or coarse. Just strident, persuasive and extremely fine of length and feel. Drink now and through 2029” 95 Points, Ned Goodwin, MW