Hunter Valley 13.5% Screwcap $35
Another single vineyard wine from Meerea Park. This time the grapes comes the Casuarina Estate vineyard in Pokolbin (40 year old vines, sandy soils). Winemaker Rhys Eather is a bit of a Verdelho freak and dare I say, it shows in how this Chardonnay is put together. No malo and plenty of tropical fruit flavour.
An unashamedly powerful expression combining yellow peach, rockmelon, lemon and a hint of pineapple (not too much thankfully). The extroverted fruit is there on the palate too and it’s swept along by a more than handy line of acidity. Barrel ferment in French barriques, 40% of which were new, has added some texture and a little savouriness…but that oak has largely been gulped up by already. Citrus and spice see things out.
Big, bold and frankly too primary, fruity and tropical for my tastes but it’s difficult to disagree with the quality on display…and it is balanced within its style.
Winery website- http://www.meereapark.com.au/