Hillier Blanc 2021, Chardonnay

• 100% Estate Grown Chardonnay, vineyard planted by Richard Karlo in 2009
• Hand-harvested fruit, 15kg totes, late September 2021
• Whole cluster pressed in a water pressure basket press
• Spontaneous fermentation with a pied de cuve
• Alcoholic fermentation 50% second fill oak and 50% stainless steel
• Partial malolactic fermentation
• Unfiltered & unfined
• Lightly sulphured after malo & at bottling
• Bottled in December of 2023

Review by Rick Van Sickle, 92 points

The wine is aged in 50% oak (some new and some second fill oak) and 50% stainless steel. Of the four barrels used, three were French and one was Hungarian. This is a highly stylish Chardonnay and dialed in on vineyard specific. It shows a slight copper tinge in the glass with savoury, creamy pear notes, yellow apples, lemon curd, pristine saline and wet stones with subtle spice notes. It’s rich, flinty and juicy on the palate with a melange of pear/quince/apple fruits, beautifully textured, underlying saline, integrated spice notes and that County finesse that defines every wine in the region, keeping it fresh and lively through the finish.