Canberra 12.7% Screwcap $22
This is only the second Chardonnay I’ve ever tasted from the Canberra district. I would have thought that the region’s cool climate would lend itself to quality expressions of the grape but apparently only a handful of producers work with the variety.
There is a leanness to the 2010 Capital Wines release. It’s not a deficiency as such but I will say that, ultimately, it left me wanting more; whether that was more flesh, more funk, more interest, I’m just not sure…
No malo and scaled back oak leaves clean fruit, acid structure and minerality to do the work. Lemons, green melons and nectarines carry the flavour profile, with some light cashew oak adding a welcome suggestion of creamy softness. There’s a little bread and spice for good measure. At its price it’s a more than handy Chardonnay, despite my reservations. Whilst it didn’t hit any great heights, I did enjoy the couple of glasses I poured.
Winery website- http://www.capitalwines.com.au/