Woody Nook Wines Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

This is a classy chardonnay that, in many ways, illustrates how Woody Nook has flown under the radar for many years and yet consistently produces outstanding wines like this one. The interesting thing is it was barrel fermented, but in a high percentage, in this case, 80% new French oak puncheons, for about eight months with regular lees stirring. On the nose, there's a savoury lemon zest and grapefruit character. While the palate has an intensity and fruit concentration that's harnessed and focused certainly by the tight screws applied by the extended time in oak, it's not excessively oaky at all. And in fact, the fruit qualities emerge triumphantly to carry through to a precise, focused finish. That final lick of acidity on the finish just picks it up and carries it a little bit further.