The Auswine Forum

I will admit to liking what nowadays seems to be referred to as 'old style Chardonnay' (pleasant oak, good fruit flavour and a buttery mouth feel). The last two times I have been out at restaurants and had a bottle of Chardonnay that I really enjoyed my internet searching revealed that the wine was not available at retail outlets or from the producer.

Does anyone else share my fondness for old style chardonnay? If so, what do you enjoy drinking that is readily available at the usual outlets?

Do you have a price range in mind? Lots to choose from in different price ranges.

Couple from the higher end of the market I really like,

Toolangi Reserve in the $50+
Tappanappa Tiers $50+

There are lots below $30, $20 etc

Do you like aged chard?

Price wise, $25 or under, something to have at home with dinner.
Aged, also a yes.
Thank you.

A quick use of the Search box with the words Chardonnay and buttery discovered this recent thread with a link to another older thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14408&p=121784&hilit=chardonnay+buttery#p121784

The search function works really well here (I honestly don't know how Gavin manages to trawl through all the old posts and list the results in under a second, but he does every time).

Cheers

Michael

Thank you Michael for the link (and links within the link). It made for some good reading. Just depends on whether those wineries are still producing the same style.

I am heartened to know that my husband and I are not the only ones who still want this old style of Chardonnay.

The wine I enjoyed two weeks ago at a wedding reception (we grabbed a bottle and wrote the details down) was Mancini Chardonnay Vignerons Selection Yeringa Estate Willbriggie NSW. My internet search gave me no joy. I think they must sell it direct to restaurants etc.

julsa wrote:The wine I enjoyed two weeks ago at a wedding reception (we grabbed a bottle and wrote the details down) was Mancini Chardonnay Vignerons Selection Yeringa Estate Willbriggie NSW. My internet search gave me no joy. I think they must sell it direct to restaurants etc.

Yep. Never heard of them!

Cheers

Michael

Old style Chardonnay I remember was big oak, exaggerated malo character which tasted great for about six months after release then fell over immediately thereafter. Are you after the pre-fall over version or the post fall over version?

In all seriousness go for Genders 2008 direct from the winery. At $20 it is a ridiculous bargain http://www.genderswines.com.au/tasting_notes

julsa wrote:I am heartened to know that my husband and I are not the only ones who still want this old style of Chardonnay.

My wife and I also like the older style of chardonnay that you describe.

We mainly drink the Nugan estate and Scarborough.
We've noticed that the current vintages have scaled back the oak a little bit though.

A couple of other to try are the Bird in Hand and Pooles Rock. Both that big buttery style - Yum

Warmer regions, like South Australian (excluding Adelaide Hills), Hunter Valley, etc are probably the best bets as they would struggle to make a 'modern' style high acid chardonnay. Exceptions apply as always.....