Margaret River 13.5% Screwcap $24.95 Source: Retail
Despite barrel fermentation, wild yeast, time on lees and battonage it’s the quality fruit which shines through in this Chardonnay. The aromas bloom as soon it is poured. Lemon, knobs of butter, white peach and bread. A little toast and spice too along with faint vanilla bean scents. There’s a delicate honeyed aspect through the mid-palate but it’s deliciously tart on a flinty finish.
A bright acid spine holds it all together. There’s the barest hint of youthful pineapple but I think that will disappear in time. The wine smells a little more viscous than it actually is in the mouth. In no way oily, flabby or greasy though – more a textural element and an enjoyable one at that. Slippery maybe, but it finishes crisply.
Good length, although I could wish for a little more thrust through the back palate. That may come with time. Yet another wine that will help Chardonnay’s renaissance in this country & at a more than tidy price. I’d like to revisit this in a couple of years time.
Winery Website- http://www.frasergallopestate.com.au/
I'm new to this label, and just tried their 2005 chardonnay which I was pretty impressed with too; I'll try to post in the next few days. It looks like their 2009 is good, and if the 2005 is indicative, will age well.
Cheers
Sean
Sean – I look forward to reading your note on the 2005. I really enjoyed this wine and would certainly say its best days are still ahead of it. The lable says 5-7 years. I suspect it will do 7 quite easily. Not that it is difficult to drink now…