Surprised that I couldn’t find a decent bottle image for this. Having said that, it is only the second release of a Ravensworth Tumbarumba Chardonnay. I’ll leave the explanation of the wine to vigneron Bryan Martin. He really has written some excellent back labels for the 2013s.
“Go wild was the theme this year, use no additives, be brave, ferment on skins – at this point I said ‘Are you sure, voice that sounds like Benedict Cumberbatch in my head?’ yes – be true, be wise but still use a little sulphur dioxide at the end and maybe filter it.”
And the resultant wine is indeed wild…and difficult to describe. A surging acid-mineral shaft powers what is essentially a savoury and linear Chardonnay. Palate weight and texture seem to be built mostly on lees. At different times it threw off aromas of grapefruit, seville marmalade, sea shells, bitter chicory, white peach, steel and nutty burnt butter. Cerebral, stimulating and likely to improve. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but as far as I’m concerned, fortune favours the brave. 92+
Region: Tumbarumba
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $33
Tasted: March 2014