Main Divide Chardonnay from the Donaldson Family in North Canterbury always punches well above its weight and the latest release is yet another fine example offering plenty of concentration and complexity (including some gunflinty notes). And value… for a fully hand-picked and barrel fermented Chardonnay that gets some serious attention in the winery it sells at an incredibly modest price.
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Average weather over flowering resulted in a balanced crop, meaning no further fruit thinning was carried out. This was followed by a cooler than average summer which delayed maturity. Fortunately, a warm dry autumn allowed the grapes to be left on the vines till later in the season, where they were able to achieve the desired level of ripeness.
On release it has a bright lemon hue. Stone fruit and citrus aromas entice the nose, melded with honeysuckle and almonds, and hints of brioche. Beneath this is an underlay of flinty, wet stone minerality, and a whiff of gun smoke, adding a savoury complexity. The palate is perfectly pitched, its generous body complimented by vibrant and bright acidity, that creates a pleasing tension. Plush yet elegant, the encounter concludes with a prolonged and moreish finish."
5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"Stylish and engaging, the complex bouquet shows crunchy apple, apricot, roasted nut and lemon zest aromas with a lovely gun smoke overtone. The palate delivers excellent weight and persistency, wonderfully supported by refined texture and vibrant acidity. Harmonious and structured with a lengthy focused finish. At its best: now to 2027."
4 ½ Stars Yvonne Lorkin, June 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"I’m sure there’s some kind of science behind why good, roasty, toasty, creamy, nutty chardonnay and anything glazed with miso are like the Torvill and Dean of food and wine partnerships. There’s probably also science about why I’m still obsessed with Torvill and Dean, but I digress. With its baked peach and grilled grapefruit freshness, layers of toasty oak and creamy, almond flavours, the Main Divide wraps around the umami excellence of this recipe. It’s also exceptionally excellent value for money too. "
92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, April 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"An impressive bouquet with a reductive gun-flinty quality, ripe, fresh and new too with aromas of apples and white peach, citrus peel and spice. Flavours on the palate mirror the bouquet with a satin texture, contrasting acid line and a nutty-biscuity quality. The gun-flint character is persistent adding a quality I enjoy in this example. Well made with best drinking from 2023 through 2027."
4 Stars Michael Cooper (2022 Vintage)
"The energetic 2022 vintage was fermented and lees-aged in French oak casks. Bright yellow/green, it has a fragrant, slightly smoky bouquet. Full-bodied, it is youthful, with strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, finely integrated oak, fresh acidity and very good complexity. Best drinking mid-2024+. (From Pegasus Bay.)"
92/100 JamesSuckling.com, March 2023 (2022 Vintage)
"This is very flinty with sliced lemons and apples. Raw ginger. Medium body, and a fresh finish. Reductive and stylish. Chablis-like."