Eden Valley, South Australia. Chardonnay. 14%. Screwcap. Approx $A30.Perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me, but I can recall tasting some earlier examples of this from the late 90's. It was stylistically apart and the bottles I had were notable for their texture and oxidation. For all its history (since 1972, which is a long time for Chardonnay in Australia) and terroir, it was a label whose value and reputation was seemingly in decline. It would appear from this bottle and all the recent press that the decline has now been partly reversed.
Blond and augmented. Butterscotch, vanilla cream, cashew and grilled peach. Bright, fleshy and giving the impression of sweetness and warmth. Pleasing and slightly against the tide in terms of its style and emphasis.
Very good.
92+
Now - 2012+
Post script: An eye opening sip from the remains and it seems better, more complex, less augmented and more delicate and lingering.
3 comments:
Hi Ed...I remember reading about this property in the mid-90's. I couldn't find it in Germany..so I found out the phone number in Australia...called..and chatted to the owner who was in the vineyard at the time. He thought I was crazy calling all that distance..but kindly directed me to an agent in Europe. I was not disappointed....and as you say..the Chardonnay stood out from the rest. I haven't seen it over the years so can't comment on the quality...but seems like I will have to make that call again(smile)
Barry,
How intrepid and impressive. I always thought my curiosity got me into trouble, but clearly I am not curious enough!
Christ Ed, another Wino Sapien review that may be worded differently to my impressions, but once again I feel like you've expressed the exact same wine content as the one I just consumed.
Damn!
And I was hoping wine tasted better in Adelaide than Perth! ;)
Cheers,
Chris P
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