Chardonnay

Limpid golden hue on the pour and barrel ferment aromas of pencil shavings initially attract both the eyes and the olfactory senses. Full-bodied delivery of primary varietal fruit characteristics of stonefruit, grapefruit, mixed herbs and a hint of jasmine blossoms, impact across the palate. The cool-climate natural acid component is delicately softened by the deft malolactic treatment to provide a Chardonnay of texture, substance and elegance. Very enjoyable now but will also reward some cellaring.

William Rikard-Bell is at the winemaking helm of Slow Wine Co and his talent is notable. This is a beautiful cooler expression of Chardonnay, but not without requisite nectarine, just-ripe pineapple, red apple characters meshed to gently woody spice, vanilla bean and piquant lemongrass lift. It swishes across the palate beautifully with high tensile acidity, a perky inclusion. Elegant.

My first look at a Chardonnay on my recent trip to Orange and this release from Slow Wine Co set the scene very well. An easy going wine, it shows good presence with well-handled oak a feature. The soft presence was a highlight too. Seeing 50% new oak, raw cashews and white fleshed stone fruit are partnered by nougat and figs with a rush of citrus juice on close. Great stuff.

"A taut and poised Chardonnay from the Orange region in New South Wales, this is deep gold in colour with notes of stonefruits, especially apricot skins a peaches. There are some supporting nutty notes, no doubt from quality oak, but integration is near complete. The wine offers good concentration and power with a supple texture and decent length. A wine for enjoying any time over the next two to three years.“

A hint of gold through the straw colouring. Rich nose, with nutty and creamy winemaking influences, plenty of stone fruit flesh and skins, glace ginger, some toast from the oak, unwrapped nougat and grapefruit flesh. Starting to mature, there’s still some regional concentration and focus to the fuller stone and yellow citrus fruit experience. Finishing dry and with a little phenolic grip. Optimum drinking now.

The aromas are the first impression you get from a wine and they did everything to show how good this wine was going to be. The varietal and fleshy palate is intense yet so so elegant. Stone-fruits show the way with some gentle citrus notes providing some lovely structure and balance to the whole of the wine. Add to that a deft touch of oak, a little spice and good length and it equals a great Chardonnay. What I must also mention is the price. Amazing value to say the least.