Whole-bunch pressed, barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in 15% new oak, the 2005 Chardonnay has a clear silvery hue and an attractive, Burgundian, crisp nose with tactile minerality, touches of chalk dust, white flowers and orange-blossom. The palate is medium-bodied, good acidity with noticeable but well-judged creamy oak on the entry lead to a more citrus, waxy finish. Good length: this makes a fine Chardonnay. Muddy Water is one of Canterbury’s most respected wine producers, established by Michael and Jane East in 1993, debuting with their 1997 vintage. Given that the difficulty of the growing season forced Muddy Water to source 31% of the Chardonnay fruit from Nelson and 55% from Marlborough, the 2005 Chardonnay is a great success.Importer: Via Pacifica, Sebastopol, CA; tel. (800) 823-5545; fax (707) 823-3393