Marchand & Burch Village chardonnay 2024

Chardonnays from this hot season have emerged quite strong, and this is another fine example. From the Mount Barker region, it underwent some natural ferment before being matured for an extended period in older French oak to deliberately downplay overt oak influence. The result is a wine of brightness and elegance, with fine, pure minerality and light citrusy melon notes, touched with a little lemon meringue and brioche richness. It all carries forward in a precise, linear fashion to a sustained finish.