2025 Creamery Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, California

The Creamery embraces the richer, more generous side of California Chardonnay, where ripe fruit and barrel fermentation are very much part of the attraction. There is no attempt to turn this into something lean and austere. The idea is simple: plenty of flavour, creamy texture, well judged oak and enough freshness to keep you reaching for another glass.

California’s abundant sunshine builds ripe stone fruit character, while fermentation in barrel brings extra weight and savoury complexity. The 2025 has that lovely combination of peachy fruit and creamy richness, with oak contributing toast and sweet spice rather than overwhelming everything underneath. It is an immediately appealing style, particularly for drinkers who like their Chardonnay with a bit of flesh on its bones.

Bright golden straw, with aromas of ripe peach, nectarine and baked apple followed by lemon curd, pineapple and vanilla bean. Toasted hazelnut, brioche and a lick of butterscotch sit underneath. The palate is rounded and creamy, packed with peach and citrus before roasted nuts, vanilla and gentle buttery notes emerge. Fresh acidity provides balance, leading into a smooth finish of toasted almond, lemon curd and warm spice.

Crispy Korean fried chicken with chilli honey would be superb here, as would garlic butter prawns, grilled corn with chipotle and lime, lobster rolls or roast cauliflower with smoked paprika and tahini. Our pick is the Korean fried chicken. Crunch, spice and sticky sweetness meeting creamy Chardonnay sounds gloriously inappropriate for anyone pretending to be well behaved.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2030.