The color of lemon juice, this Hunter Valley Chardonnay is a reductive, high-solids style in which characters like salted nuts, smoke, and buttery toast dominate. The fruit (melon and stone fruit) is there but barely. The palate is quieter than the nose, with a creamy texture, somewhat forced acidity, and a lick of oak on display. Still a baby, this should hopefully show more interest as it ages. Drink now–2029.