Personally I prefer Tower Estate’s cheaper Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay this vintage, largely as the oak seems more integrated and the acid a little softer. It’s the small things that count…

70% of this was barrel fermented, the other 30% in tank.

Punctuated by grainy oak and white peach fruit, that creamy oak seems to sit over the very dry acidity, everything finishing hard and raw.

With a little more time this will integrate more – and the flavour penetration is great – but not much love at present.

Source: Sample
Tasted: July 2014
Drink: 2015-2019
Score:16.5/20, 88/100+
Would I buy it? Not at the moment.
Buy online: Tower Estate website