Yarra Valley 13.2% Screwcap Source: Retail
Purchased one bottle to see how many I would cellar. The answer is 6 (and God is seven).
It’s got the expected power of an exquisite grapefruit spine, along with the usual nectarine and some great use of toasty, spicy oak. There’s some fatter melon flavours which I’m not as fond of of. And a sense of milkiness.
Extra marks, though, for complex savoury lees characters, wheat, white flowers and minerality. It just seems a touch out of focus at the moment. But the penetration is there and a little bit of pithy grip on the finish only adds to the interest and enjoyment. I don’t think this is as good as the 2008 but it’s still very good & should only get better. Price, as always, is superb. No-brainer as a purchase for lovers of good Australian Chardonnay.
Winery Website- http://www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/