Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015
Slender, sophisticated, full of vitality... the star of the show has a distinctive personality. It leads with a white pepper scent reminiscent of expressions from Montrachet (a white Burgundy appellation), and is accompanied in the mouth by lively spice (smoked paprika) and saline notes.
It is a wine with intensity, freshness and length. “It’s an impressive, international style. It has amazing vibrancy, which gives
it a stand-alone quality,” said panel chair John Belsham. Having said that, he felt a fine food match would be roast chicken served with creamy mushrooms.