FROMM Chardonnay Clayvin Vineyard 2016

Raymond Chan
5 stars, 19 Points / 20             

"Bright, light yellow colour with some depth, paler on the edge.  The nose is taut with tightly bound aromas of white and yellow stonefruits, entwined with citrus fruit elements, along with subtle nutty notes, a suggestion of creamy barrel-ferment, unfolding floral and mineral elements.  This possesses aromatic purity and clarity.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has impressive presence, depth and weight, the flavours restrained and stylish in expression, showing white and yellow stonefruits along with citrus elements and a delicate array of nutty notes.  The mouthfeel is rounded with a creamy unctuousness which is balanced by crisp acidity.  This has excellent flow and linearity, and blossoms with an ethereal range of stonefruit nutty and floral flavours as it carries to a long, lingering finish of great clarity.  This is a taut, but rich Chardonnay with stylishly subtle stonefruit and nutty flavours on a refreshingly crisp palate in the Corton-Charlemagne mould.  This will develop over the next 5-7+ years.  Serve with seafood and poultry.  Mendoza clone fruit from the ‘Clayvin’ vineyard, Brancott, vines 20 y.o. and close-planted at 5,000 vines per ha, fully indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 16 months in 3 y.o. oak with lowest toast, on fine lees with 100% MLF.  Certified BioGro organic.  3 barrels made." 

Bob Campbell, 
95 points, 5 Stars

“Impressively pure, almost luscious chardonnay from the famous hillside Clayvin vineyard. Ripe tree fruit, peach and nectarine flavours with ginger, hazelnut and spicy oak. Surprisingly accessible wine that promises to develop well with bottle age.” 

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
95 points, 5 stars

"An exquisitely styled chardonnay; the delicately lifted bouquet shows white flesh stone fruit, lemon peel, oatmeal and jasmine aromas, leading to a concentrated palate that is tightly structured and finely textured. The wine is beautifully restrained and harmonious with a terrific persistent finish. At its best: 2019 to 2026."