Bodega Tapiz Reserve Chardonnay 2019 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

The Reserve wines are a clear step up from Bodega Tapiz’s everyday range, given more time and care in the cellar. This Chardonnay comes from the estate’s high Uco Valley vineyards, where altitude keeps even richer whites fresh and defined.

This is pure Chardonnay, given some oak ageing to build texture and a gentle creaminess, while cool-climate fruit holds a line of freshness underneath. It is the more serious of Tapiz’s two Chardonnays, made for a little more depth and occasion, without tipping into heaviness. The oak is a seasoning here, not the main event.

The 2019 now carries a little bottle age, which adds a welcome layer of complexity. We hold little on the growing season, so we describe the wine rather than the year. It is drinking well now and does not need further keeping. Several years on from harvest, it is showing its best right now.

Expect an intense nose of white peach and pear with delicate vanilla from the oak. The palate is fuller and rounded, with a creamy texture balanced by bright, fresh acidity and a long, gently toasty finish that lingers, leaving a clean, well-balanced impression.

A more ambitious Chardonnay for those who enjoy a touch of oak and richness alongside their freshness. Serve lightly chilled, around 10 to 12 degrees, with roast chicken, creamy pasta or grilled salmon. If you enjoy a lightly oaked white Burgundy or a richer Chardonnay that keeps its freshness, this Reserve is a rewarding, well-priced match, Chardonnay with both generosity and grip.