Payne's Rise 2023 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

"A a wine of poise and understatement, the 2023 Chardonnay from Payne's Rise unfurls from beneath a gentle patina of reduction to reveal nuances of citrus blossom, lime curd, ripe pear, and nougat. Faint touches of salinity and verbena add complexity. There is a lovely balance of delicacy and concentration here. The palate is opulent yet finishes fresh with fine acidity; silken in the middle palate with mineral presence and phenolics coming into play in the final 3rd. Once again there is sneaky length to this wine. Tart apricot and pear, peach skin, lemon and lime curds and peel of same; faint notions of spice and pineapple sage. Repeating generous herbal touches on the close. Moreish finish with salty nuance. Simply delicious." — David