2023 Greywacke Chardonnay, Marlborough

Marked by funky reduction which gives crushed rock and struck match, this complex wine unfurls with time in the glass. The palate has a green apple and lemon profile which expands to fill the mouth with creamy almond and cashew butter; all wrapped around waxy citrus peel while remaining crisp and zingy right to the grainy finish. A wine of layers and evolution which has a bit of everything in a mid-weight package. Not a powerhouse but it will be very versatile with food 14 Oct 2025 Drink 2025–2032

93 points Stephen Wong MW therealreview.com

Greywacke Chardonnay is one of those quietly confident wines that reminds you just how good Marlborough can be when handled with sensitivity and intent. Kevin Judd, whose reputation was cemented during his formative years at Cloudy Bay, approaches Chardonnay with a Burgundian mindset, focusing on texture, vineyard nuance and subtle winemaking rather than overt power. Fruit is sourced from carefully chosen sites across the Wairau Valley where free draining alluvial soils and bright sunshine help build flavour intensity while cool nights preserve freshness and line. Judd’s patient barrel fermentation and extended lees work add layers of complexity without ever overshadowing the fruit.

A luminous pale gold colour draws you in. Aromas unfurl gently with white peach, ripe citrus and nectarine sitting alongside roasted cashew, nougat and a faint whisper of struck flint. There is a lovely savoury detail here that keeps things intriguing. The palate is beautifully composed, flowing with stone fruit generosity and creamy texture before tightening into a fine mineral thread. Subtle oak spice and grapefruit zest linger on the finish, giving the wine both shape and quiet persistence.

This is a bottle that feels just right when the evening calls for something comforting yet refined. Pop something delicious in the oven, pull on your favourite jumper and let a glass of this settle you into the moment. Roast chicken with lemon and thyme, grilled lobster with brown butter, or pumpkin and sage risotto would all be wonderful companions. Drinking superbly now with a short decant yet capable of evolving gracefully for six to eight years as nutty, honeyed notes begin to emerge. A beautifully judged Marlborough Chardonnay that speaks softly but leaves a lasting impression.