Eight years on lees. Complexity via maturation.
The delicate profile of the Chardonnay fruit sits under rich and nutty autolysis derived character. Buttery brioche, green apple, marzipan and caramel with savoury toasted sourdough joining ginger spice and grapefruit on the back-palate. The bead is fine and persistent, the mouthfeel all pillowy marshmallow-like but structured Arras power and precision tethers the experience. 95
Region: Tasmania
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Price: $79.99
Tasted: March 2014
Deserving score. Wonderful wine.
In a tasting today of Blanc de Blancs Champagne scaling prices right up to $300-400+, those not in the top few were all “devil’s advocated” on the basis of not being able to automatically topple this wine, which usually sells for around $60.
Based on the 2001 and the 2004 I think I may have a personal preference for the BdB over the Grand Arras. I’ve sunk several bottles of the former and usually paid less than fifty dollars. The value is outstanding.