(2025) Interestingly, Kevin Courtney explains that he has started using some 450L puncheons as well as 228L barriques, with both this and the Reserve Chardonanny having one brand-new puncheon, one one-year-old puncheon and an array of 228L barriques ranging from brand-new to five years old. The only real difference between this and the Reserve in terms of barrels is 35% new oak for the reserve, 30% for this wine. There's certainly a definite but deligthful oak character on the nose, vanilla and almond rather than anything too toasty. In the mouth that creaminess supports pristine stone fruit and citrus, a litte peek of riper nectarine coming through, but the acid balance and texture giving this breadth and sharpness.