Ten Minutes By Tractor 10X Chardonnay Mornington Pen. – 2015

With so many Chardonnays in the range, it’s reasonable to wonder what one gets with the (nominally) entry level 10X label. The answer is: a good taste of the high end. This is very much in the main line of the range, stylistically, and presents a more accessible, “drink now” version of the house style. The aroma is unmistakably Ten Minutes by Tractor, showing characteristically high-toned notes of citrus and white peach, along with an array of crisp herbal notes and warmer, vanilla tones. There are deeper, fleshier notes too, which emerge after a bit of air and some swirling in the glass. The precision of the aroma’s layering is impressive, akin to peering through a fine latticework window to a garden in full bloom – finesse and abundance all at once. Wines that unfold like this should be drunk slowly and with some attention, and it’s gratifying to see this complexity in a such a young wine. In the mouth, a burst of fresh citrus initially characterises the flavour profile and establishes this wine as one to enjoy immediately. There’s great verve and vitality here, the same sensation one has when biting into fresh fruit, as flavour and acid combine to invigorate the palate. As the line progresses, subtle vanilla and caramel begin to emerge, adding plushness and depth, and cushioning a firm line of acid that drives across the tongue. The finish sizzles with a butterscotch and lemon sherbet sensation. This narrative provides a neat beginning, middle and end to the wine’s line and, as with any good story, is one that invites repeat visits