2005 Epis Chardonnay – Macedon Ranges
Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:52 am
2005 Epis Chardonnay – Macedon Ranges – Domaine Grown and Bottled – Under DIAM
It is rare that I open a wine and it forces me to call the winery, but it happened this morning. After assuring Alexander Epis that I was not an alcoholic (as I am on holidays and drinking wine before 10am is alright), I learnt much about Epis and this wine. Let me start with the wine’s finish because this is the primary reason of excitement. Quite simply, the finish is as minerally as it is juicy with white stonefruits and mandarin, with persistence so long that it nearly choked me on the first taste. Although Alexander mentioned Montrachet, I can’t help but think Chablis.
Mind you, I must admit that I was excited before I opened the wine. It was given a 19.3/20 by Jeremy Oliver, which is the reason I bought it, then reading the 12.9% alcohol on the label provided me with more excitement.
Very light gold. He wine is cool with restrained ripeness. Packed with white florals, honeydew melon, cream, nectarines and white peaches that are controlled by hints of lime and marvellous, ripe acidity from the front palate to the back. Complex even at this early stage, also with hints of barrel-derived cashew nuts and yogurt. Deep with smooth, ripe texture. The finish is as minerally as it is juicy with white stonefruits and mandarin, with persistence of excellent length. 96/100, 19.1/20, I might rate this wine higher in 5 years. $45.
For this those interested, the wine was aged for 14 months in 40% new French oak and the rest in 1-4 year (225L French barriques). The grapes were cropped at 1.5 tonne per acres and 30% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation.
My Wine of Christmas, clearly superior to the 2002 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz that needs another 5 years at least to be truly enjoyed, the NV Moet et Chandon Rosé in the new label which was lovely with obvious aged Red Burgundy-like characters that might be too much for some and the 2004 Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon that is one of Australia’s greatest wines at less than $30 (and it is less than $20!).
I have the 2005 Epis Pinot Noir (19.2/20, 97/100 by Jeremy Oliver) on the tasting bench to taste with the 2004 Bass Phillip Premium, which I will open the first week of January and I look forward to tasting a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot (10%) as this winery’s philosophy is spot-on with me, with all wines less than 13% alcohol.
Kind regards,
Adair
P.S. Bottle gone!!!
It is rare that I open a wine and it forces me to call the winery, but it happened this morning. After assuring Alexander Epis that I was not an alcoholic (as I am on holidays and drinking wine before 10am is alright), I learnt much about Epis and this wine. Let me start with the wine’s finish because this is the primary reason of excitement. Quite simply, the finish is as minerally as it is juicy with white stonefruits and mandarin, with persistence so long that it nearly choked me on the first taste. Although Alexander mentioned Montrachet, I can’t help but think Chablis.
Mind you, I must admit that I was excited before I opened the wine. It was given a 19.3/20 by Jeremy Oliver, which is the reason I bought it, then reading the 12.9% alcohol on the label provided me with more excitement.
Very light gold. He wine is cool with restrained ripeness. Packed with white florals, honeydew melon, cream, nectarines and white peaches that are controlled by hints of lime and marvellous, ripe acidity from the front palate to the back. Complex even at this early stage, also with hints of barrel-derived cashew nuts and yogurt. Deep with smooth, ripe texture. The finish is as minerally as it is juicy with white stonefruits and mandarin, with persistence of excellent length. 96/100, 19.1/20, I might rate this wine higher in 5 years. $45.
For this those interested, the wine was aged for 14 months in 40% new French oak and the rest in 1-4 year (225L French barriques). The grapes were cropped at 1.5 tonne per acres and 30% of the wine went through malolactic fermentation.
My Wine of Christmas, clearly superior to the 2002 Rockford Basket Press Shiraz that needs another 5 years at least to be truly enjoyed, the NV Moet et Chandon Rosé in the new label which was lovely with obvious aged Red Burgundy-like characters that might be too much for some and the 2004 Saltram Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon that is one of Australia’s greatest wines at less than $30 (and it is less than $20!).
I have the 2005 Epis Pinot Noir (19.2/20, 97/100 by Jeremy Oliver) on the tasting bench to taste with the 2004 Bass Phillip Premium, which I will open the first week of January and I look forward to tasting a bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot (10%) as this winery’s philosophy is spot-on with me, with all wines less than 13% alcohol.
Kind regards,
Adair
P.S. Bottle gone!!!