TN: Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 2011

[Waiters Friend]

G'day. I've been buying this wine every year since at least 2010. I have found over time that I don't like them too young, with citrus and acid prominent (for my tastes) in the young wine. 3+ years seems to transform them, however.

The is yellow with only the faintest tinge of gold. The nose is still lemon and stone fruits, although the citrus has toned down a lot. On first pour, there was a touch of matchstick and gunsmoke, but this has disappeared over time. There's some savoury oak and grilled nuts in the background.

The palate is where this gets better. Yellow and ripe, well, peach coloured peaches predominate, with the citrus taking a back seat in favour of developed savoury characters. There's good supporting acid and a slight drying impact from the oak. The wine finishes quite long and flavoursome.

2011 was apparently a lousy vintage in eastern Australia, but this would be an exception. Probably not likely to improve much, but should hold for a couple of years.

Cheers
Allan

[via collins]

Enjoyed a 1er from this vintage a couple of weeks back - reflected the palate notes you offer, but in technicolor as it were. All the taste I enjoy and get used to, but a body that really lifts it above the standard model. A wonderful richness and viscosity.

You're right about the vintage - a write-off in much of Sth East Oz, but somehow they escaped the worst down at HCE - bravissimo!

[Mahmoud Ali]

Thanks for the note, it sounds like a very well made wine.