2005 Epis Chardonnay – Macedon Ranges

[Adair]

2005 Epis Chardonnay – Macedon Ranges – Domaine Grown and Bottled – Under DIAM

It is rare that I open a wine and it forces me to call the winery, but it happened this morning. After assuring Alexander Epis that I was not an alcoholic (as I am on holidays and drinking wine before 10am is alright), I learnt much about Epis and this wine. Let me start with the wine’s finish because this is the primary reason of excitement. Quite simply, the finish is as minerally as it is juicy with white stonefruits and mandarin, with persistence so long that it nearly choked me on the first taste. Although Alexander mentioned Montrachet, I can’t help but think Chablis.

Mind you, I must admit that I was excited before I opened the wine. It was given a 19.3/20 by Jeremy Oliver, which is the reason I bought it, then reading the 12.9% alcohol on the label provided me with more excitement.

Very light gold. He wine is cool with restrained ripeness. Packed with white florals, honeydew melon, cream, nectarines and white peaches that are controlled by hints of lime and marvellous, ripe acidity from the front palate to the back. Complex even at this early stage, also with hints of barrel-derived cashew nuts and yogurt. Deep with smooth, ripe texture. The finish is as minerally as it is juicy with white stonefruits and mandarin, with persistence of excellent length. 96/100, 19.1/20, I might rate this wine higher in 5 years. $45.

For this those interested, the wine was aged for 14 months in 40% new French oak and the rest in 1-4 year (225L French barriques). The grapes were cropped at 1.5 tonne per acres and 30% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation.

My Wine of Christmas, clearly superior to the 2002 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz that needs another 5 years at least to be truly enjoyed, the NV Moet et Chandon Rosé in the new label which was lovely with obvious aged Red Burgundy-like characters that might be too much for some and the 2004 Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon that is one of Australia’s greatest wines at less than $30 (and it is less than $20!).

I have the 2005 Epis Pinot Noir (19.2/20, 97/100 by Jeremy Oliver) on the tasting bench to taste with the 2004 Bass Phillip Premium, which I will open the first week of January and I look forward to tasting a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot (10%) as this winery’s philosophy is spot-on with me, with all wines less than 13% alcohol.

Kind regards,
Adair

P.S. Bottle gone!!!

[dkw]

Alec makes some superb wines, I think you'll like his Cab Merlots, and his Pinot. I''m very interested to read your TNs next month.

Dave

[Gianna]

A great note about the Epis Chardonnay, Adair, I had the 99 LEAS yesterday and was quite dissapointed. ( I'll post a full TN on all wines had over the last few days soon ). With the hot weather starting to arrive, I think I might buy a few Epis Chard and try. I've had the pinot before and liked it's sweet berry like qualities.

Cheers.

[griff]

Bit of an aside. Tried the Moet Rose NV along with the new Veuve Rose NV. Whereas the the standard Moet NV is improving release by release in my eyes I found the new Veuve a far superior wine to the Moet Rose. Slightly copper tinged rose colour with a bouquet of wild alpine strawberries. Very impressive as I am more a blanc de blanc kind of guy.

Having said that they had opened a second bottle of the Veuve Rose and it wasn't showing quite as well. Also, they had opened 3 bottles of the 1999 vintage Veuve all with varying degrees of oxidation

Happy New Year

Carl

[Wayno]

Am going to pick me up some of this based on your recommendation, Adair... that, and the fact that both the 04 Chard and 04 Pinot are also great. Have you tried the 04 and if so how do they compare? They sound of the same philosophical ilk, based on your notes which is obviously a good thing.

It's a good time to be enjoying chardonnay!

[Danny]

It's kind of funny seeing his name written as Alexander... I've only ever known him as Alec or "Kooka" (his nicname while he was playing football for Essendon).

Whatever you call him, he makes great wine. We are doing a review of his Pinot Noir in the next week or two over on wineweek.com.au

[Adair]

Am going to pick me up some of this based on your recommendation, Adair... that, and the fact that both the 04 Chard and 04 Pinot are also great. Have you tried the 04 and if so how do they compare? They sound of the same philosophical ilk, based on your notes which is obviously a good thing.

It's a good time to be enjoying chardonnay!

Sorry, I have not had the 2004.
Adair

[Adair]

Eight years later and I am as pleased with this wine as I was back then. Similar fruit flavours but just slightly brûléed and honeyed. The acid is what sets this wine apart, then and now. The rich, deep flavours are still impeccably balanced by fresh ripe pineapple and white mineral/flinty acidity. Freshness and shape is awesome, driven by that flavoursome acidity. The fruit now presents layers of complexities to get lost in, or simply sit back and enjoy and wonder. 96/100 is right.
I love agreeing with myself.

[Boyeah]

I bought 6 of the 05 Epis Pinot Noir, which I enjoy immensely, back in those days I wasn't really into Chardoanny
These days Chardy is on the top of my list, could imagine how fabulously nice to drink the 05 Chardy today!!!
Cheers Boyeah