Massena Colour Palette Chardonnay 2017

While Massena is based in the warmer Barossa Valley, they source this Chardonnay from the cooler Adelaide Hills to achieve a fresher, more elegant style. The higher altitude and cooler climate of Adelaide Hills preserves natural acidity and allows for slower ripening, resulting in the white blossom and citrus characters that define this wine. This demonstrates Massena's philosophy of following the fruit to where it expresses itself best, rather than being confined to their home region.

A textural Chardonnay focuses on mouthfeel and weight rather than just flavour intensity. This wine likely has a creamy, almost tactile quality that coats the palate, possibly from techniques like lees stirring or partial malolactic fermentation. The medium-bodied nature combined with textural elements creates a wine that feels substantial without being heavy, offering complexity through both taste and physical sensation on the tongue.

At six years of age, this Chardonnay has moved beyond its primary fruit-driven youth into a more complex, developed phase. The initial citrus brightness has likely evolved to show more honeyed, nutty characteristics while maintaining its mineral backbone. Adelaide Hills Chardonnays from quality producers like Massena can age gracefully for 7-10 years, so this wine is currently in its prime drinking window with enhanced complexity and integration.

Orange peel notes in Chardonnay typically come from extended skin contact or specific yeast strains during fermentation, creating citrus oil-like aromatics rather than just juice flavours. Combined with the minerally character from Adelaide Hills' ancient soils, these orange peel notes add a sophisticated bitter-sweet complexity that elevates the wine beyond simple citrus fruit. This flavour profile is particularly complementary to rich seafood dishes like the suggested salmon pairing.

While this 2017 is drinking beautifully now in its prime window, quality Adelaide Hills Chardonnays can continue developing for another 2-3 years. The wine's textural style and mineral backbone suggest it has the structure for short-term cellaring, where it will develop more honeyed, toasty complexity. However, if you prefer fresher, more vibrant citrus characters, enjoying it sooner rather than later would be ideal.