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Angove Bin 256 Chardonnay
With 130 years of expertise under the family’s belt, Angove have plenty of experience to call upon. In recent years they have been awarded ‘Winery of the Year’ and many medals besides for individual wines. Fourth generation John Angove now heads up the cellar that Dr William Angove started in 1886 near Adelaide (by making award winning brandy – a product they’re still famous for) and, besides championing unusual grapes, John also pioneers modern styles of wine. His 2018 turns its back on the weighty, golden, heavily oaked Chardonnays of last century and embraces bright stone fruit, shot through by lemony brilliance. No wonder this grape is back in favour.
La Voûte
RedHeads Harmonie Rox Chardonnay
RedHeads aren't shy of creating a stir, all in the name of top winemaking. And Harmonie Chardie really rocks! Since starting off in 2002, Redheads have blazed a trail to become one of Australia’s leading sustainable cellars – masters of small-batch, eco-friendly winemaking. They've won 8 trophies and over 200 Golds for their wines, including two for the debut release of Harmonie Rox. All the grapes come from grower Jack Bursten’s unique Coonawarra vineyard. It was originally planted by the late, great Wayne Stehbans – twice winner of Australia’s most prestigious wine Trophy, the Jimmy Watson. So he knew a thing or two about growing top grapes! And it really shows in the wine. Fermented in part new French oak, it's creamy, spiced and fruity.
Coppabella Single Vineyard Tumbarumba Chardonnay
Modern Australian Chardonnay is revolutionising the varietal, and this single vineyard Tumbarumba is a prime example. Experience lifted grapefruit, honeydew melon and lemon zest aromas on the nose. The wine is bright with flavours of green apple, lime and creamy cashew notes on the middle palate. The finish is long and refined with a lovely driving line of acidity.
Champagne Château de Bligny Blanc de Blancs ( )
Hunter’s Chardonnay
Fermented and aged in French oak casks for 10 months. Brilliant very pale straw colour with a distinctive greenish tinge around the outskirts and a watery hue. Aromas of ripe pear and nectarine are followed by hints of dried honey, biscuity oak, citrusy nougat and spice. Mid weighted and carrying a nicely fleshed feel, pear and nectarine fruits are featured over honeysuckle, biscuity nougat and spicy crème brulee characters. Gently creamed medium to long conclusion. Drink over the next 2-3 years. Alc. 12.5%
Willow Bridge G1-10 Geographe Chardonnay
Jeff and Vicky Dewar established Willow Bridge Estate after acquiring a spectacular 180ha hillside property in the Ferguson Valley, a sub region of Geographe. Under winemaker Kim Horton, many of its wines offer exceptional value for money. James Halliday rated their beautiful winery among his ‘Best Wineries of 2014’ and ‘Dark Horse Wineries of 2013’ Their G1-10 Chardonnay is full flavoured, complex and textural, yet still lively and refreshing with refined tight grain french oak offering backbone support. Winemaking exudes minimalist technique to allow expression of site. Bright staw in colour. Lifted citrus, white peach, lemon blossom and almond with intriguing complex elements of fine French oak. A precise palate of harmonious oak teamed with intense stone fruit, citrus and flint like palate, with a long flowing texture leading to fine acidity and spiced oak nuances.
Don Aldo Olivier Pedro Ximénez Chardonnay
30 Mile Chardonnay
A ripe, fleshy quaffing Chardonnay. Bright straw colour with yellow green tinged edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach and crème brulee like aromas fill the nostrils with hints of toasty oak and butterscotch also present. Fleshy and ripe, the palate features peach and tropical fruit flavours over vanillin spice and traces of crème brulee. Balanced acidity with a nicely shaped finish. Drink over the next year. Alc. 13%
Domaine Matrot Bourgogne Blanc
Elegant (and utterly delicious) White Burgundy from a fine family domaine, established in 1909 by Joseph Matrot, and today run by the third generation, Elsa and Adèle Matrot. They are renowned as “a top-class Meursault producer” (Wine International), while Neal Martin wrote, "great wines are being made at this address". The sisters, like their father before them, believe in using oak sparingly in order to express “the quintessence of terroir” (La Revue du Vin de France). They let the fruit do the talking. The result is a portfolio of Burgundies that are intensely flavoured, pure tasting, with excellent ageing potential. In 2023, they discarded 25% of their grapes which has taken quality even higher. Certainly one of the finest producers of Burgundy.