2024 Holocene Aureolin Chardonnay

The Chardonnays from Todd Alexander’s Holocene are demonstrably compelling; the Aureolin shows great reduction and rich umami character. It spends nine months in a mixture of steel, new and neutral oak barrels, including the small format, feuillettes. It was allowed to oxidise at crush and made with a reductive approach. Rich, smoky grilled lemon wedges, oyster brine, and verbena complement Moroccan preserved lemons, candied ginger, and smoked cardamom. Delicious. - Clive Pursehouse, Decanter