2015 Sam Harrop Cedalion Chardonnay, Waiheke Island

 The 2015 vintage conveyed lime, grapefruit, lemon zest and gunflint, lending the wine a pristine citrus and white floral aroma, which integrates beautifully with subtle acacia and cedar notes. This is not a rich, ripe wine; it is a more linear, saline style that will improve for many years. The wine’s trademark zingy acidity and salty finish is present in abundance

'Sam Harrop MW leads a busy life. He lives on Waiheke Island with his wife, Karlie, and two children but in the tradition of a flying winemaker, he wings his way around the globe making wine in different countries and gaining much useful international experience in the process.

 Sam’s winemaking philosophy is simple. That’s it… simplicity. He dislikes over-oaked and over-worked wines and uses minimal sulfur dioxide.

“I’m sympathetic to the natural wine movement but I am not making natural wines.

“I like to make wine that polarises opinion. Some people will love it while others hate it. To make wine that would suit everyone would require more intervention than I’m happy to give.”

Huon Hooke therealreview.com