We decided to get a little more specific this month. The wines could be Chardonnay from anywhere in the world, as long as they were from the 2015 or 2010 vintages. We wanted to see how Chardonnay looks with 5 and 10 years age on them.
In the end, we ended up with 10 wines – 8 from 2015, and two from 2010.
Fortant (Languedoc, France) 2015: Yellow with gold tinges, and seemingly quite developed for a 5 year old. The nose has a meal or grain character to it, and shows yellow peach, nectarine and cashews. There’s more ripe yellow peach on the palate, along with melon, quince and fig. There’s some slightly grippy cedary oak, and good palate weight. There’s some butter on the finish, and there was a floor wax note when initially poured. It’s well balanced, and probably at it’s peak now.
Xanadu (Margaret River) 2015. This is the ‘standard’ model, not the Reserve or Stevens Road. Straw / pale yellow in colour, and showing little signs of its age. The nose has ripe lemon, nectarine, rhubarb, heather honey (we have a Scot among the tasters) and cedary oak. The palate has white peach, stonefruits, cashew and good supporting and freshening acid. There’s some grippy tannins or phenolics as well. Well balanced and a really good length and mouthfeel.
Giant Steps (Yarra Valley) 2015: The Yarra Valley blend, not a single vineyard wine (there’s a number of those from this maker). Mid-yellow in colour. The nose opens with savoury and warm grain characters, alongside peach and toasty oak. One taster detected a hint f garden hose (we’ve noticed this particular fetish before in this taster
). In contrast, the oak is less apparent on the palate, with melon, stonefruit, and stewed peach. Acid is soft, and a couple of tasters commented that it was Viognier-like in texture. Long finish. Leeuwin Estate Prelude (Margaret River) 2015: Mid-yellow in colour. Citrus and stonefruits, melon and pink lady apples on the nose, along with savouriness and cashews. There’s big peach fruit on the palate, along with savouriness and grip. Tasters commented that the wine was sharp and acidic, and out of balance, and we were drinking it too young. Despite this, the wine was highly regarded by the group (in terms of voting).
Woodlands Chloe (Margaret River) 2015: Yellow in colour. Very perfumed and intense nose, with florals, light peach and nectarine characters. The palate is dominated by savoury characters, grippy oak, good acid, and considerable palate weight, leading to a long lingering finish. A couple of tasters felt the finish is slightly astringent or bitter, with some orange peel. One taster commented “no sharp edges”. Different strokes?
Louis Latour Marsannay (Burgundy, France) 2015: Light yellow in colour. There’s fresh lemon, stonefruits, licorice and vanilla on the nose, while the palate has lemon curd, sherbet, chalk, and moderate but tart acid. Short finish
Mac Forbes (Yarra Valley) 2015. Like the Giant Steps, this is the Yarra Valley blend, not a single vineyard wine (which Mac makes a couple of). Straw colour, very youthful appearance. Lemon, citrus, under-ripe melon and tropical fruits dominate the nose. For a chardonnay, the acid seems quite high, and there’s tangy lemon, medicinal lemon drops, mango, preserved lemon and modest oak. There’s also quite a persistent taste of ….. lemon.
Brown Brothers Patricia (Tasmania) 2015: Light yellow. Nectarine, under-ripe peach, vanilla and a hint of ginger on the nose. There’s stonefruits on the palate (nectarine, white peach) alongside some granny smith apples, cashew and good freshening acid. A good finish as well. This is well balanced and will improve with a couple more years’ bottle age. Highly regarded by the group.
The two 2010s surprised us, as their colours were lighter than some of the 2015s.
Xanadu (Margaret River) 2010: Again, the ‘standard’ model, not the Reserve or Stevens Road. Pale yellow in colour. The nose shows cashew, lemon, florals, nectarine, melon, paw paw, and white peach, while the palate has sherbet, tangy lemon / curd, and some sulphur or matchstick. Good length. Described as ‘elegant, refined and delicate’. Well regarded.
Hoddles Creek (Yarra Valley) 2010: Again, the ‘standard’ model, not the 1er. Similar pale yellow colour to the Xanadu. The nose is clean, with lemon, yellow peach and stonefruits, and oak hardly noticeable. More lemon and curd on the palate, salted/preserved lemon on the back palate, and good supporting oak and acid.
Neither of the 2010s showed their age especially.
Wine of the night was the Leeuwin Estate Prelude 2015. Thanks to all who joined us on the night.
Cheers
Allan