TN: Howard Park Chardonnay 2017

[Waiters Friend]

I've been looking forward to trying this new release, as I have been impressed with previous vintages.

Pale yellow in colour. The nose opens up with lots of nectarine, with some citric tartness. Oak is present, but very much in a supporting role, and I wonder if it has been dialled down for this vintage. There's a little pink grapefruit, and maybe a very slight savouriness, but the wine is definitely fruit forward.

The palate starts to show some complexity - there's a little tannic grip, and a slight nuttiness in amongst voluminous fruit. It's medium-weighted, with quite a long and satisfying finish.

I reckon this is a baby, and needs at least another year before I look at the next bottle. It shows what seems to be developing as a Howard Park "house style", but may take a year or two to fully show that style. The elements are there, however, and my partner and I certainly enjoyed this "first look" at the wine. Now, where's that 2011 I put in the fridge a couple of weeks ago ……

Cheers
Allan