Tasting Note No.14
Many people get excited by this white label with the Elm tree logo. The reason is the genius of the winemaker, Blair Walter. This Chardonnay is simply outstanding! Low yields produced an unique and excitingly complex wine with amazing similarities to fine Burgundy.
Colour bright, light golden, once the glass is swirled the nose is awesome! The most complex array of stone fruits, mineral characters, melon and dew. Use the best Chardonnay glass you've got for this one. There is no need to hurry, just enjoy the aromas for minutes. The palate is superbly balanced. Very sweet, super high class chardonnay fruit with beautiful depth. Quite full bodied and rich. Drinking very well now but has the structure to age well for an other 3 years. Those already bought this, don't need to wait, have a glass now. Do not overchill. Cost AU $50, money well spent, you won't be disappointed. It's a very good and easy to love wine.
also tasted
2001 FROMM La Strada-Fromm Vineyard Pinot Noir
An other exciting white label, this time by the good Swiss people into 'holistic' winemaking in Marlborough. Winemaker Hatsch Kalberer knows exactly what to do. His inspirations from Burgundy are obvious.
Colour deep red, indicating a serious wine. The nose is restrained, lot's of plum, chocolate and dark fruits. The palate is concentrated, savoury with dark chocolate, cherries and plum. Very focused and flavoursome. Excellent long finish. Can be drunk now but this is a wine that will build more secondary characters in 3 years time. Surprisingly concentrated when compared to other 2001 vintage pinots I've recently tasted out of NZ. Really good, full, round taste. Cost AU $65, a little steep but this is the style I really like. I appreciate power in a Pinot Noir or Burgundy.
2002 FROMM La Strada Dry Riesling
What happened here? This is the 4th Riesling release from Fromm but this wine is rather austere and unexciting. The palate is light, lacking complexity, weight and length. I don't think it goes anywhere. Cost AU $30 for those wanting to experience it first hand.
Tasted:November 2003.
2002 FELTON ROAD Barrel Fermented Chardonnay-Central Otago.
2002 FELTON ROAD Barrel Fermented Chardonnay-Central Otago.
"(Wine) information is only as valuable as its source" DB
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Guest
2002 FELTON ROAD Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - cost AU $50!!!
The mind boggles at the pricing. Here it is $36 full retail. Would have expected it to have been about the same over there, given the exchange rate's in your favour! Have to agree it is certainly one of the most exciting Charodnnay's I've tasted.
"once the glass is swirled the nose is awesome! "
With all the yeasty complexity, I thought it was like putting my nose into good Champagne (without the bubbles, of course).
Cheers,
Sue
The mind boggles at the pricing. Here it is $36 full retail. Would have expected it to have been about the same over there, given the exchange rate's in your favour! Have to agree it is certainly one of the most exciting Charodnnay's I've tasted.
"once the glass is swirled the nose is awesome! "
With all the yeasty complexity, I thought it was like putting my nose into good Champagne (without the bubbles, of course).
Cheers,
Sue