Here come the warm jets. Or the 2012 Yarra Valley Chardonnays as the case may be. This is untamed, cloudy, textural wine from Tom and Sally Belford. It’s not confronting though, just delicious.
Not really about detail in flavour or aroma. There’s wafts of dried honeycomb, nuts, chicken stock and banana skins. The palate is waxy and a little slinky with gentle yet crucial phenolic grip providing satisfaction at the end. Ample fruit stuffing and body through the midpalate and a lovely sense of flow throughout. Persistent too. Apricot kernels, almonds, cheese and ginger come and go as you swirl the glass and keep dipping your nose in. It evolves. Don’t serve it too cold if you want to get the most out of it. And it has plenty to give. 92 Very Good
Region: Yarra Vally
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $29
Tasted: April 2013
[e] tomeb@iprimus.com.au (no website as yet)