Newton Johnson Vinyards 'Southend' Chardonnay 2022 Bottle

Made with full malolactic - "it's not really a choice, it just kicks in," says Gordon Newton Johnson - this comes from a cooler, south-facing slope that tends to produce a steely style. Aged in 11% new wood, it's sappy, focused and refreshing, with lime and lemongrass flavours and a hint of struck match. 2023-28

Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com (September 2023)