Cool-climate Chardonnay – the tasting notes

For the background to these tasting notes and a discussion of the meaning of ‘cool climate’ in both physical and stylistic terms, see How cool is cool-climate Chardonnay? This sign outside Ravine Vineyard, St Davids, during the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (iC4+) was made entirely of screwcaps.

Some of the wines that were markedly cool climate in style were not necessarily from the regions that are physically the coolest, particularly where other factors such as elevation or proximity to the coast have a major impact on style. It just goes...