Sourced primarily from the Havelock Hills, but with contributions from Bridge Pa and the Dartmoor Valley, the 2018 Elston Chardonnay artfully combines toasty, smoky notes with peach and pineapple fruit. The result is something akin to roasted hazelnuts or cashews and grilled fruit. Medium to full-bodied and generous without seeming overly rich, the wine remains focused and long on the mouthwatering finish. It's probably the best Elston to date.

This is a riper, more approachable vintage than the 2017 Elston. It opens with appealing notes of melon, apricot marmalade and barrel-driven butterscotch aromas. Marmalade is the dominant flavor on the full-figured palate as well, providing a pithy bite of refreshment amid a broad, slippery texture. Drink now-2026.

This shiny, golden-hued Chardonnay is richly fruited, with flavors reminiscent of pineapple, cream and toasty oak. It offers plenty of concentration and a precise structure. The alcohol of 14% is on the hot side with a slightly briefer-than-hoped-for conclusion.