The Amasimi Kelder Reserve Chardonnay - Laithwaites

A good oaked chardie should be a mix of complex contradictions - ripe fruit and buttery, nutty oatmeal cut across with a zip of acidity, crisp toast and some spice.

Unfortunately, that is not what is on offer here with this South African Chardonnay from Laithwaites- yes, it's a pleasant-enough and reasonably well-made Chardonnay, but so what ?

On opening, there was some pear on the nose, good acidity on the palate, a touch of butteriness, but not much else - after about three hours in the decanter, it opened up into something a little more complex, but overall it seems to require an excessive degree of concentration to appreciate fully.

Overall, just a bit too subtle and restrained to be properly enjoyable - food matches would need to be equally light and neutral, lightly-cooked white fish or cream cheese.

£6.99 from Laithwaites (plus delivery)

Links

Laithwaites - http://www.laithwaites.co.uk/