Craggy Range Kidnappers Chardonnay 2020

This is the first vintage with sexy Julian Grounds at the controls. He’s ex Giant Steps and McHenry Hohnen. Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay a different beast to Margaret River and Yarra Valley. Let’s see what he’s been busying himself with over in the land of the wrong white crowd. Richness of fruit is there, white peach and melon, white flowers, but with a coolness and calm composure. Oak is barely there, and there’s a lovely almond flavour and texture, a little green olive, tight acidity, perhaps some ripe lemon in the mix too. Some flint and firmness, and a particularly good finish, flavour and chalk and citrus zest. It’s a beautiful wine.