Mornington Peninsula 13.5% Screwcap $40
Made in the pre-Tom Carson era by Tod Dexter (ex Stonier, now making wines under his own name at Dexter Wines) and Larry McKenna (who has still lends a hand as a consultant to Yabby Lake). For my money, the Mornington Peninsula produces some of the most interesting interpretations of Chardonnay in Australia and this wine is no exception.
It’s quite briney and savoury. Peach and honeydew melon are hanging in there, along with rosemary and basil, washed rind cheese and some resinous traits. The oak, which provides enjoyable spice, is still a touch hard on the finish, which is a shame as it’s still a very vital wine with a clean thread of grapefruit acidity slicing right through the palate; it almost achieves a linear drive underneath bottle aged layers.
Perhaps not entirely cohesive and probably a touch raw. The nose is more fun than the palate but there is a lot to like here all the same. It just hasn’t quite come together entirely as I would have hoped.
Winery website- http://www.yabbylake.com/