2012 Savaterre Chardonnay

Community Tasting Notes (9) Avg Score: 93 points

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  1/5/2024 - gparker777 Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Medium-deep gold colour in the glass. Required an hour decanting to open up with ripe peach, verging on pineapple honeyed notes and flint. The front palate is silky but loaded with plenty of white peach and full mouthfeel and weight without being too oily. Transitions nicely through the palate into a long nutty and creamy pineapple finish and a hint of acidity throughout. Great balance between richness and freshness. Lingers on the palate for 30-45 seconds. OK wish I had more of this vintage.

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  1/1/2023 - Mark Dignam Likes this wine: 96 Points

  I have just pulled this out of the storage unit. In perfect condition, with very good light gold colour, looks younger than it is.
  
  Nose was initially a little reticent and reduced. Some swirling revealed an array of aromas - citrus, tangerine, red apples, pineapple and spicy, nutty French oak. As it warmed, the nose became quite enticing - each sniff revealed more notes.
  
  In the mouth, it is medium to full bodied and very complex, with a lot of viscosity. The front palate shows citrus, apple, tropical flavours and a character that reminds me of preserved orange or tangerine. As it warmed, honey, quince and toasty, nutty oak was more evident. There is some vanilla, spice and cream. Yet it remains powerfully fruity, and a tiny drop on the tongue explodes with all sorts of flavours. The acid is firm and there is some minerality to it, and I expect it will easily age another 5-8 years.
  
  I have bought this wine since the first vintage (2001) and was given a bottle as a member of a retailer tasting panel. I loved it from the start, though every vintage is different and shows the character of the year not just the style of the wine. It is always a complex and intriguing wine and for my palate, ne of the best Chardonnays in the world. I import some white Burgundies direct from Beaune and seriously, if this had Batard Montrachet or PM Pucelles on the label, I would not have been surprised.

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  3/21/2022 - robferguson1 wrote: 92 Points

  This is classy with great California character , struck match, but is on its last long legs, in terms of finish .
  A great example of Beechworth longevity and would have rated higher a few years back at its peak.

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  1/15/2022 - tanduybui Likes this wine: 94 Points

  This wine has elevated Savaterre into the big league of chardonnay. We have been buying Savaterre wine pretty much from day one and this is the best chardonnay that we have had the joy to experience.
  
  And joy is the word. The wine is in its drinking window now, superbly balanced, graceful and it packs a punch at the same time.
  
  Beginning to have the golden tinge, it is slightly reductive on the nose but is accompanied by apple, pineapple and a hint of vanilla. The body had wonderful layers of complexity and depth; and for fans of Les Nez du Vin, you will be in heaven. Creamy without being buttery, drive without being overwhelmed by dry acid, the body has pineapple, apricots, pears and some nuttiness. Finish was a delight, long packed with structure and minerals.
  
  Drink now or 3+ years.

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  7/1/2020 - robferguson1 wrote:

  This is in wonderful shape, more to come but great now.

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