Clairault Estate Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia

克萊洛酒堡霞多麗干白葡萄酒

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：3649

The 2020 Chardonnay is a beauty. It's all crushed nuts, toasted caramel, yellow-flesh peach, grilled fennel and brine. On the palate, the fruit is concentrated and savory, with the oak poking through a little here. All in all, it has impressive flavor concentration and lovely expression of Chardonnay fruit here. It's savory and full. This was tasted blind as part of the "Value for Money" tasting in September 2023. RRP $30 AUD.

The winemaking (and, in particular, the oak) is pronounced in this 2019 Estate Chardonnay, and at this point, it is disguising the fruit. All, however, is in balance—there are no elbows and knees on display at all, just a wealth of oak and winemaking "hand." The 2019 vintage was a cool one in Margaret River, perhaps the oak just needs a little more time to ameliorate into the delicate fruit. The wine is long in flavor, though, which is a good sign.

Notes of pencil shavings and pineapple mark the nose of the 2017 Estate Chardonnay, sourced from the southern subregion of Karridale. Toasty and slightly nutty accents then emerge, joining bright grapefruit and lime flavors on the medium-bodied palate and lingering on the finish.

The 2014 Estate Chardonnay is a rich, opulent wine loaded with scents of toasted hazelnut or almond layered over white peaches and grilled pineapple. It even hints at popcorn on the long, otherwise citrusy finish. It's medium to full-bodied but with ample acidity, which should give it the potential to age well through 2022.

The 2011 Estate Chardonnay opens with aromas of apple tart, spiced pears and peach kernels with suggestions of honeysuckle and lightly browned toast. Light to medium-bodied and offering a great intensity of apple and fresh peach flavors, the judicious use of oak and malolactic compliment the fruit nicely while the very crisp acid line contributes freshness and lift through the long finish. Drink it now to 2017+. Importer: Coastal Wines, San Diego, CA; tel. (619) 291 5330