Hark Vineyards – Petit Manseng 2021 – Monticello

The wine has a lemon yellow color of medium intensity. The nose offers tension, gourmandise, and freshness. It opens with notes of candied citrus (candied blood orange, candied lemon peel), which are then complemented by notes of ripe pineapple, a touch of guava, fresh Golden apple, as well as ripe lemon and grapefruit. There are also floral (wisteria, acacia, linden) and honeyed (linden honey with a very delicate hint of wax) aromas. Aeration also reveals a subtle limestone and saline minerality. The attack on the palate is surprising, with an expressive but pleasant bitterness of chestnut honey (even with a hint of walnut) and bergamot with its smoky side. The mid-palate offers notes of crushed citrus (grapefruit, lime, lemon), as well as a juicy and gourmand touch of tangy pineapple, golden apple, guava. The finish is tasty, enveloping, even rich, with a round texture, while remaining fresh and balanced. It adds to the profile of the wine the notes of hay, white flowers (wisteria, acacia, dried linden). Beautiful lively and salivating acidity, with an incisive side of lime and its good bitterness. A surprising and savoury wine.