Field Of Fire Chardonnay, Pyramid Valley Vineyards 2022

If the Field of Fire were a person, it wouldn't suffer fools gladly. The 2022 Chardonnay is a concentrated, direct and firm wine that knows where it's going and does so with a firm grip on your mouth. Focused, full of drive, it has sinew and sapidity. It is richly fruited - reminiscent of apricots alongside juicy lemon as well as toasted pine nuts, oats and flint. However, its quality is not in its flavors but its texture and power. Where I'm from, we say, 'Shy brains got nowt' and this isn't shy. 2025-2035

The 2022 Field Of Fire Chardonnay leads with an ultra pretty nose: white waxy flowers, lemon oil, sherbet, green soft leaf herbs and shaved fennel. In the mouth, the wine has considerable race and pace yet remains restrained and measured in its attack. This is a very smart wine; it's angular in all the right ways and complex to the end. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Botanicals collection. Waikari vineyard. Cask sample.Bright pale gold. Sweet, vaguely candified nose. Neat, well balanced, very youthful and promising. Embryonic. (JR)