REGION:
2009, South Australia
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING:
The grapes for this wine were predominately grown in a single vineyard in the Padthaway region of the Limestone Coast. The soil is free draining red sandy loam over limestone, on the Padthaway plains. These mature vines are well tended on a single wire with a vertically shoot positioned canopy.
The 2009 Vintage was relatively cool, the exception being a short heatwave in February. This cooler year has been great for aromatic varietal expression, and a general lack of disease pressure has allowed us to harvest the fruit at optimal ripeness. Chardonnay in particular benefited from a juicy natural acidity contributing to excellent palate weight and flavour persistence overall.
Picked late at night to harvest the grapes as cold as possible the grapes were transported to the winery and pressed using modern membrane tank presses. After cold settling the clear juice was carefully racked to cooled fermentation tanks and inoculated with selected yeasts. Cool fermentation was followed by minimal handling filtration and bottling at the Angove Estate.
WINEMAKERS' NOTES:
Medium straw in colour, the brilliant pale gold hues are highlighted in the glass. Aromas of peach and nectarine, ripe melons and toasty oak swirl around in a hedonistic display and precede a palate abounding in ripe tropical fruits. Roasted cashews and lightly toasted oak characters intermingle on the long soft finish.
TECHNICAL:
Variety: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13.0%
Residual Sugar: 4.0 gms/l
Total Acidity: 5.7 gms/l
Bairnsdale Advertiser - 29.04.11
“Made with grapes predominately grown in a single vineyard in the Padthaway region of the Limestone Coast, this Chardonnay is medium straw in colour. Aromas of peach and nectarine, ripe melons and toasty oak swirl around in a hedonistic display and precede a palate abounding in ripe tropical fruits. Roasted cashews and lightly toasted oak characters intermingle on the wine’s long soft finish. The 2009 Chardonnay vintage was relatively cool, the exception being a short heatwave in February. This cooler year was great for aromatic varietal expression, and a general lack of disease pressure has allowed Angove to harvest the fruit at optimal ripeness.”
Quaff 2011 - Peter Forrestal
The Best Wines in Australia Under $15 - Good
"This has powerful cedary notes are intense melony flavours, so it forces you to stand up and notice it. May will love the oaky style."
Winestate Chardonnay Tasting March/April 2008 - 4 Star
"Complex nose with appealing grassy, peachy and yeasty characters. Long, lingering palate brims over with flavours of toasty oak, well matched by zesty citrus fruit."
Wine Spectator Website Daily Pick - Harvey Steinman - USA - 10.03.09
"Bright and lively, with a citrusy edge to the pear and toast flavours. Drink now."
The Tasting Panel - Anthony Dias - USA - 88 Points
"Clean and fresh with bright and balanced acidity and fruit."
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009 - 4.5 Stars 92 Points
"An attractive wine, with good finesse and focus to the melon and nectarine fruit; good oak integrations."
Winestate Limestone Coast Tasting - Nov/Dec 2007 - 4 Stars
"A complex Burgundian style with delicate white peach fruit and nutty oak. Palate has nice texture and balanced layers of fruit flavours with a sweet edge."
The Age - Epicure - 07.08.07 - 3.5 Stars
“Angove’s range of sub $15 wines from South Australian Riverland offers some good value. This chardonnay has good varietal aromas of melon and barley sugar and while the oak has a slightly raw edge, it’s not too intrusive. In the mouth it’s smooth and satisfying, with reasonable persistence and clean flavour.”
Adelaide Advertiser - Tony Love - 30.05.07 - 86 Points
Adelaide Advertiser - Tony Love - 30.05.07 - 86 Points
Adelaide Advertiser - Tony Love - 30.05.07 - 86 Points
"The critter thing is out of control with such a range of snake oil, dying to use its catchphrase "you'll be bitten" At $15, it's decent, with barrel ferment characters and melon and citrus lingering in a fair finish."
Oregon Wino - Top 10 White Wines Under $10 - Number 1
'This #1 is an AMAZING wine! 92 point wine for under $10? COME ON, you have got to be kidding me, what an amazing value! Very light and refreshing wine, melon, citrus and floral flavours with just the right amount of acidic tartness. What I liked most about this wine was that is had a pretty strong finish with smooth cream undertones. Overall just a fantastic version of Australian chardonnay. If you like sweeter whites with a good, full stable of flavours and elegant finish, this is the wine for you!'
Wine Spectator Website Daily Pick - Harvey Steinman - USA - 10.03.09
Bright and lively, with a citrusy edge to the pear and toast flavors. Drink now. 6,468 cases made.
The Tasting Panel - Anthony Dias - USA - 88 Points
Clean and fresh with bright and balanced acidity and fruit.
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2009
92 Points 4.5 Stars
An attractive wine, with good finesse and focus to the melon and nectarine fruit; good oak integrations.
Winestate Chardonnay Tasting March/April 2008
Red Belly Black Chardonnay 2007
4 Star Review
'Complex nose with appealing grassy, peachy and yeasty characters. Long, lingering palate brims over with flavours of toasty oak, well matched by zesty citrus fruit.'
Midwest Wine Connection USA - March 2008
87 Points
"Mouth-filling with a touch of acidity."