TN: Forest Hill Block 8 Chardonnay 2015

[Waiters Friend]

The Forest Hill vineyard was the first one planted in the Great Southern (1965). Although the vineyard is near Mount Barker, the cellar door and excellent restaurant are located just west of the town of Denmark.

The Block 8 Chardonnay sources fruit from specific sections of the original vineyard, and is generally released with a couple of years age. This is the current vintage.

Pale yellow in colour. Lovely complex nose of yellow peach, nectarine, cedary oak, a little vanilla, and lightly grilled nuts. The palate is also complex and finely balanced, with a good line of acid supporting the fruit flavours. There's a slightly creamy mouthfeel as well, indicating some time on lees, and the wine is mouthfilling without being too broad or heavy.

There's a lot going on in this wine, and in some ways it's hard to dissect, because the elements are so well blended.

Experience with previous vintages of this wine tells me this will still be drinking well in 2022.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Looking at this six years after the last post, this is now fully developed and golden in colour. However, the wine has aged gracefully, and there's no signs of being over the hill.

Still some peach and nectarine fruits, which have become honeyed over time. The palate is showing some of this, with richness and a little toastiness, and there is more than enough acid to maintain some freshness and zing. Vanilla and buttery characters have become more prominent, as has the nuttiness. Mouthfilling without being overly heavy, and well balanced overall.

I've had previous vintages of this which have made 10 years comfortably. This matches them, but obviously won't be likely to improve. Delicious1

Cheers
Allan

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