This strikes me, in a way, as being a timeless style of Chardonnay. Fashions and fads will come and go but regardless of how anyone might feel ordering this off a restaurant wine list, there will always be a number of us squirrelled away at home with a bottle nearby.
It’s not shy when it comes to oak, but darn those barrels taste good. Aniseedy herbs, stonefruit, smoked almonds, citrus and woodspice. Toasty and a tad creamy yet with a great deal of latent richness and power. Still a baby.94+
Region: Beechworth
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $75
Tasted: June 2014
I do not encounter this wine nearly frequently enough. When I’ve had it, I’ve enjoyed it mightily. ‘Timeless’ is an accurate and nice way of putting it. Think I’d very much like this release too.
MC
Much the same here Michael. This came courtesy of a friend. I do really enjoy it but for some reason I don’t often buy it. Priorities and budgets I suppose.
Yes. Priorities and budgets. The price is a little high for random drinking. That said, bought a couple of bottles of Seville Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2012 a couple of days ago – on your recommendation. That was a similar price. Perhaps $60 is my Chardonnay max point these days?
MC
I buy on whim quite often. Although I haven’t snapped up any Seville Reserve yet it ticks all my boxes. I drink more Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley than I do from any other region – not necessarily because it’s “better” but because I really like the profiles that I associate with the area. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth. I reckon the Oakridge 864 Willow Lake Chardonnay 2012 is outstanding value at full tote…around $70. But I’ll still buy Burgundy at a higher price because it tastes different and I’m intrigued. In fact I think it’s fair to say I’m hooked. I’d like to taste Giaconda and Savaterre more often. Perhaps in the future my purchasing patterns will change. In fact I’m pretty certain they will. All part of what makes wine interesting to me.