Wine Companion 96 points.
While Quartz gets the bow for its complexity and depth, Kostas Rind is no slouch. A lovely balance of citrus, white stone fruit, ginger spice and a touch of nutty lees that are more like seasoning, same with the oak influence. There’s a lightness and purity with some complex sulphides and ultra-refreshing acidity. Very satisfying. Utterly enticing. 96 points.
Jane Faulkner
Published 16 August 2022
WINERY NOTE:
The 2020 Kostas Rind spent 10 months on yeast lees in French barrels, of which 25% are new, and was bottled in mid February. Typical and distinctive aromas of grapefruit and lemon with jasmine blossom lift from the glass and with time gently creamy and savoury aromas emerge. The palate is fresh, chalky, zesty, harmonious and quite smooth. It’s early days and three years of careful cellaring will see a building of complexity and texture.
An intense, mineral wine fully ripe but lean, taught and intense with savoury, creamy elements. Fragrant notes of orange blossom, nectarine stone, spice and subtle nuttiness are usual with a vibrant, tight, long palate highlighted by clean acidity, wonderful texture and fine length.
The Kostas Rind Chardonnay is grown in a 1.5 hectare plot. The wine is fermented in French barrels of which typically 20% are new. Fermentation occurs without the addition of cultured yeast and the wine remains in barrel on yeast lees over winter with only a small amount of malo-lactic conversion taking place. It is racked around eight months after vintage, and returned to barrel for a further three months before bottling.
Production varies from 300-600 dozen per vintage.
