At this stage, this wine is completely driven by its strong core of minerality and the electricity generated by its mouthwatering acidity. Out of the bottle it immediately displays notes of baked apple, lime zest, honey, chamomile and classic chardonnay flintiness. A stony coolness from the combination of the old vines and the stainless ferments brings a level of restraint and austerity that adds elegance to the layers that quickly build up on the palate. Fruit density from the low yielding vines and toasty notes from the barrel ferments add richness and length. For a cool climate chardonnay it displays remarkable amounts of fruit alongside the expected notes of citrus, stone and oyster shell brininess. A wine of unusual depth, elegance, tension and balance, the 2010 Hilt Old Guard Chardonnay drinks exceptionally well today, but should be at its best with a few years in the cellar