TN: Howard Park Allingham Chardonnay 2018

[Waiters Friend]

G'day.

This was the group tasting note from a vertical tasting held in April 2021:

Howard Park Allingham Chardonnay 2018: Pale yellow in colour. The nose is complex, with lots of citrus, cashews, and brioche. The palate is also complex, with honeydew melon, grapefruit, lemon zest, and some vanilla. Excellent acid offset by a little creamy lees texture. Superb balance, and one taster described it as “seductive”. Highly regarded by the group, and Wine of the Bracket (8 votes).

I think this is my first look at this wine since that event. The colour has darkened slightly, although the wine is still quite bright in the glass. Citrus on the nose has given way to stone fruits, with yellow peach and nectarine now more evident. Oak is barely noticeable, although an overall nutty character remains alongside the fruit.

On the palate, the textural notes remain, and in similar balance to previously. Again, the citrus has evolved (now I am seeing Bickfords lemon cordial, alongside the grapefruit) and there's some vanilla in support.

Still finely balanced, and evolving only at a moderate rate. It will be interesting to see this wine in another year or so. A top chardonnay from an excellent vintage.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

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[Waiters Friend]

A couple of years along from my last tasting, and the colour has deepened somewhat - now approaching gold.

I can smell this wine from 2-3 feet away - ripe stone fruit aromas are jumping out of the glass. Lots of peach and nectarines, with a touch of vanilla and cedar. There's still some lemon and grapefruit as well, although these have retreated further.

The palate is equally powerful, with more ripe stone fruits up front and lemon & grapefruit towards the finish. Acid is cleansing and supportive (certainly signs of malo), and there's obvious oak providing a little grip and some bready characters. Very long finish for a chardonnay, and totally in balance.

This is in great nick now, but should hold for a while longer. Excellent wine.

Cheers
Allan

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