Xanadu Reserve Chardonnay 2020

This comes from the original Lagan planting and is made along similar lines to the Stevens Road, including the avoidance of malolactic fermentation which contributes to its brightness and energy. The difference in the two wines is quite distinct with the finer and relatively more delicate Stevens Road a contrast with the immediately more powerful and concentrated Reserve. Has a distinct minerally chalky mouth feel with a subtle leesy character evident. There’s a little salty saline character especially on the palate which offsets that slight cheese cloth character. It’s another cracking wine. Drink: 2022-2037. Score – 98. (Ray Jordan, winepilot.com, Nov. 2022)