Tasting Note No.36
I 'discovered' Rochford wines with their good 2000 vintage Pinot Noir and I've been keeping an eye on them ever since. The follow up 2001 Pinot is an OK wine but nothing special, however the 2002 R series chardonnay is.
The R range wines come from the Macedon region in Victoria. Higher altitude vineyards mean cool climate wines. Grapes are grown on volcanic soil and are hand picked. Winemaker David Creed has created a lovely and exciting Chardonnay.
Colour brilliant clear with slight gold. Highly perfumed and promising nose of melon, cashews and white peaches. The palate is fresh and rich with aromatic fruit flavours with lovely barrel ferment notes. Beautiful, round and ripe, this wine is balanced by well handled French oak and lovely acid. A very tasty Chardonnay that is very DELICIOUS, enjoy it here and NOW as I believe this wine will not age well beyond 2005. Smooth drinking with excellent fruit definition. A captivating and exciting drop for the money. It cost AU $26 and is better than the 2002 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay that I also liked in the past.
Tasted:February 2004