2017 Bannockburn Chardonnay, Carrick

Refined, layered and beautifully resolved with age, this Bannockburn Chardonnay opens with aromas of baked apple, lemon curd and ripe pear, woven through with notes of toasted hazelnut, oatmeal and a gentle smoky edge. The palate is supple yet focused, delivering creamy orchard fruit balanced by bright acidity and a fine mineral thread that keeps the wine fresh and composed. Time in the bottle has brought harmony rather than softness, finishing long, savoury and quietly confident.

For when: you want Chardonnay with depth, detail and a bit of calm authority.
Pairs with: roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy pasta, or mushroom dishes.
If this wine were… a well-thumbed hardback, reassuring, nuanced, and worth revisiting.

Carrick is one of Central Otago’s pioneering estates, founded in the late 1990s on the slopes above Bannockburn Inlet, an area often referred to as the Heart of the Desert. With organic certification and a strong commitment to sustainable farming, Carrick focuses on expressing site through careful vineyard work and minimal intervention in the cellar. Bannockburn’s extreme climate and schist-rich soils bring natural tension and structure to Chardonnay, while thoughtful oak use and time on lees add texture and complexity. The result is a Chardonnay that balances richness with restraint, ageing gracefully and speaking clearly of place.