TN: Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 2012

[Waiters Friend]

This is the 'standard' model, not the 1er. I always wondered about the ageing ability of this wine, as it seems to be many forumites 'go-to quaffer when young'.

A pale yellow in colour. The initial impressions are of lemon blossom rather than outright citrus. Oak is hardly noticeable on the nose, which is quite muted overall, and a little savoury. The palate is where its happening, with lemon pith, noticeable tannins, and a prominent lick of acid supporting more savoury characters.

At 5 years old, this seems a little unbalanced, and I'm not sure its going to improve further. Initial impressions were that this is youthful, but the second impressions are of a slightly stripped out wine (and its under screwcap).

I'm a little disappointed, and would be interested in others' impressions.

Cheers
Allan

[swirler]

"lovely qpr", "yum" and "phenomenal value" are the most recent (2016) notes on Cellartracker.

Looks like you had a palate off day or a dodgy bottle. Maybe premox is coming to Australia

[Matt@5453]

"lovely qpr", "yum" and "phenomenal value" are the most recent (2016) notes on Cellartracker.

Looks like you had a palate off day or a dodgy bottle. Maybe premox is coming to Australia

What is your direct experience with this wine? Please give this forum something "positive". I don't see any notes on wine from your good self. Don't be 'scared'.

[conformistpete]

I've got some in the cellar. Will pull out a bottle and will post a note.

[Duncan Disorderly]

Interesting to hear your thoughts on this wine Allan. The estate Chardonnay has been a pretty regular buy for me for a few years now, however for my tastes they either need about six years bottle age or an extended (like several hours) decant.

Many times I've tasted a new vintage and found them lacking fruit, watery and sometimes high in acid. Yet given a long spell in the cellar and they are very rewarding. I had my last bottle of the 2008 about nine months ago and it was drinking beautifully, and tasted like it would've been good for another five years at least. 2012 was a pretty good year so I was holding off on drinking the first of my half doz until late 2018.

[via collins]

Interesting to hear your approach Duncan, and sorry you've had a downbeat experience Allan.

Chaos in the cellar has meant I've drunk two 2012s this year, maybe earlier than I would have intended, but I was happy with both. Very happy to be honest. Last weekend, the fruit range on the palate, the length, the perfect balance of acid had me running mental laps for joy.

Not sure if that helps, but that's the news that's fit to print!

cheers,

[Duncan Disorderly]

For what it's worth I've had two bottles of the 2011 this year and both have been pretty good, with more development to come. For a pretty challenging vintage, it's an outstanding result methinks (no 1er probably helps too).

I also had two bottles of the 2009 at Xmas which I'd bought at auction. One tasted a bit heat affected, but the other was pretty good.

[Bobthebuilder]

I had the 2012 late last year, alongside a devils lair Chardonnay that was overly oaked in comparison. It made the hoddles appear to have a lot more finesse and a much better balanced structure, which considering the DL was 2 to 3 times the price really made it stand out as a VFM purchase. I clearly remember thinking I need to get some more of these so it must of been pretty good.

[Waiters Friend]

Thanks everyone for the observations.

I too have had entirely pleasant experiences with the wines in their youth, and also with those few that have got lost in the cellar for 3-5 years. This one just seems so out of kilter with everything I've tried before.

I should probably look at a couple of later vintages as well.

Cheers
Allan

[conformistpete]

For what it's worth I've had two bottles of the 2011 this year and both have been pretty good, with more development to come. For a pretty challenging vintage, it's an outstanding result methinks (no 1er probably helps too).

I also had two bottles of the 2009 at Xmas which I'd bought at auction. One tasted a bit heat affected, but the other was pretty good.

There definitely was 1er* in 2011 as I have some in the cellar.

Edit: *chardonnay that is...

PS. I've pulled a 12 & 13 estate bottling out of the cellar. Will post a note as soon as I get to them.

PPS. I didn't realise this conversation started in May. Thought it was just the other week. Ergh.

[Bobthebuilder]

PPS. I didn't realise this conversation started in May. Thought it was just the other week. Ergh.

[/quote]

Either did I until I stumbled upon my own post as I read the thread!

[Mahmoud Ali]

... A pale yellow in colour. The initial impressions are of lemon blossom rather than outright citrus. Oak is hardly noticeable on the nose, which is quite muted overall, and a little savoury. The palate is where its happening, with lemon pith, noticeable tannins, and a prominent lick of acid supporting more savoury characters.

On its own this note makes the wine sound rather appealing, until you go on to say that you felt it was unbalanced and disappointing. I rather like lemon blossom, muted oak, and savouriness.

Mahmoud.

[conformistpete]

So i finally cracked the 12. Your note is pretty accurate and I agree it is on the leaner side. I guess it is an indication of the move over that period to more acidic Chardonnay. Not sure I would call it too lean. The missus and I both enjoyed it as it was. Will open the 13 this weekend to see where its at.

I think (or hope) there is development to come... it isnt quick with Stelvin.

Much better than the terribly oxidised white burg I had last weekend!

[Rossco]

I know we are talking about the estate here, but we had a 2012 1er at a recent offline and it was sensational. Still so young, but absolutely singing.

[dave73]

I also think these need 8+ years to show their best, which is strange for a $20 wine. The 1er actually drinks better sooner for mine, but still needs 3-5

[JakeBarnes]

I had a bottle of the 2015 over three nights last week and it was much, much better on night 3 than night 1. The acidity was frankly almost punishing to my palate for the first two nights but by the third night was in better balance. I suspect it would have been even better on night 4 or 5. I think I'll put these away for another five years.

[via collins]

at risk of obsessing, this note turned up on TWF overnight, posted by a regular contributor WRT 2012 Hoddles Creek Estate chardonnay:

"Enjoying this tonight. Remarkably fresh. Lemon, matchstick, a very fine and confident line. Best Hoddles Creek Chard I’ve had, I reckon. Which is saying something."

It pretty well mirrors my opinion too. I've got a couple of bottles to go (happily), and can see no reason why it won't stay in this place a while. I can't recall if you've another Allan, but I hope good things for you if you do revisit.

[Waiters Friend]

a I've got a couple of bottles to go (happily), and can see no reason why it won't stay in this place a while. I can't recall if you've another Allan, but I hope good things for you if you do revisit.

I have a couple of each of 2010-12, and then more of 13-16. Might be time to crack a 2010 and see how I react.