So, Sam Harrop’s new wine has just been released. It’s a Chardonnay from Waiheke Island, near Auckland, and it’s superb.

As many of you know, Sam is a buddy of mine (although, as you can imagine with most of my relationships, I probably like him more than he likes me). We have written a book together and there’s another currently underway on wine faults. It’s terribly difficult to review the wine from someone you know quite well, because there’s always the human tendency to help a mate out (not that Sam needs any assistance), and the attendant danger that critical faculties aren’t as sharp as they might be with a stranger’s wine.

So, with this conflict of interest fully declared, here is my honest review of the debut vintage of Harrop’s Waiheke plonk (he lives on the island full time now). I’m relieved to say that it’s a superb wine, all lean and detailed, and it will be sold in the UK through Berry Bros & Rudd.

Sam Harrop Cedalion Arae Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 Waiheke Island, New Zealand
20% new oak, 7.2 g/l acid, pH 3.1.Taut, fresh, complex and lemony. Very fine and spicy with a lovely mineral core. Some hints of peach and fennel with just a touch of matchstick. Incredible precision. 94/100

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