2018 Gala Estate Black Label Chardonnay, East Coast Tasmania

Picked by hand, whole bunch pressed, wild ferment with full solids in new and second fill French barrique this is Chardonnay with power and poise. Being the top Chardonnay from the estate this is made in small amounts and should be tasted to be believed. Almost flawless.Bright golden yellow in colour, with green tinges at the rim catching the light, the nose offers up aromas of ripe stone fruits, intertwined with a hint of butter and hazelnut and wet clay. With a little more air, notes of pencil shavings and slight vanillin characters emerge.

Hand-picked, chilled, whole-bunch pressed, wild-fermented, matured for 10 months on lees in new and used French oak. This is up to Gala's best, vibrantly fresh yet generous and complex. Pink grapefruit/white peach may be cliches, but they're here in spades.

97 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au

One of James Halliday's Best Chardonnay's of 2021