Vina Zorzal Chardonnay 2022

If you're reading this and still preaching the 'Anything but Chardonnay' mantra, this is the wine to coax you out of that blinkered way of thinking about the good stuff. Forget toasty oak - there is none of that here - this wine is practically liquid peaches. Perhaps stewed with some apricot and lemon zest for good, fruity measure. The palate has a nice refreshing zing to it - so much so that I've poured a second sample whilst writing this tasting note. Clean, pure and delicious - plus Zorzal are very conscious producers, so it's practically a health drink. Ticks every box.

In south of Navarra, North Spain, Viña Zorzal is a project run by three brothers who inherited the estate from their parents. They have been recuperating old vineyards and focusing on high altitude, bush-vine fruit. Their signature is bright, fresh fruit and concentrated flavours, and always massively over-deliver at their price point. The brothers work a commitment to and respect for the environment and the soils they farm, practising low-intervention and sustainable viticulture.