An interesting wine that shows some bottle evolution akin to Aussie Semillon in its development of dry toast and smoke aromas despite minimal wooding. Sweet apple and pear fruit on the palate turns citrusy on the finish, picking up hints of greengage plum. ——J.C.(7/1/2002)—— 85

“Pristine” stands for untouched—in this case by wood, an increasingly popular approach to the Chardonnay grape in Australia. The light citrus aromas, herb and caramel accents, and a dry and lean mouthfeel with almost tart pineapple flavors bring to mind better Maconnais wines from Burgundy. Well-balanced, it closes crisply with mild tropical-fruit notes. Likable, and not a fat, oaky tropical fruit bomb.——M.M.(10/1/2000)—— 86