Chardonnay and Pinot Noir comparison - France, Australia, NZ, USA

G&E's, Melbourne
Tasted Saturday, September 10, 2022 by G.M. with 146 views

Introduction

8 bottles between 7 of us over dinner and much conservation. Yes, this was as much drinking as tasting, with plenty of wine and time, to savour and enjoy. Not surprisingly the notes became a little sketchy towards the end.

Flight 1 - Chardonnay flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2021 Kumeu River Chardonnay Maté's Vineyard 97 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, Kumeu

    Tasted next to 2018 Ridge Chardonnay and before 2005 Girardin Corton Charlemagne and 2002 Yarra Yering Chard. Incredible intensity, balance and length. This is an absolute belter. Obviously very young and fresh, but already delicious and revealing a profound depth. Wine of the night, even pipping the Corton Charlemagne. Kumeu beating burgundy. No news here. (97 Phenomenal wine)

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  • 2018 Ridge Chardonnay Estate 94 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Tasted next to Kumeu Mates 2021 and before 2005 Girardin Corton Charlemagne and 2002 Yarra Yering Chard. Delicious, round and balanced. Slightly warmer, more tropical fruit profile than the Kumeu. A terrific wine, but a tad overshadowed by its companion in the flight. (94 Excellent wine)

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Flight 2 - Chardonnay flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2005 Domaine / Maison Vincent Girardin Corton-Charlemagne 96 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

    Tasted next to 2002 Yarra Yering Chard and after a paired flight of Kumeu Mates 2021 and 2018 Ridge Chardonnay. I’ve had a few Montrachet before, but this was my first CC. Complex, developing nicely, but still with plenty of fruit. Loads of flavour intensity, slightly nutty and spicy, all held together with a strong acid spine. A great wine indeed. (96 Superb wine)

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  • 2002 Yarra Yering Chardonnay 95 Points

    Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley

    Tasted next to 2005 Vincent Girardin Corton Charlemagne and after a paired flight of Kumeu Mates 2021 and 2018 Ridge Chardonnay. This was thrown into the mix as a wild card. Certainly not expecting it to go toe to toe with the 2005 Corton Charlemagne next to it, but it did. Wild, tangy acidity, pristine citrus and stone fruit. Still so alive after 20 years (this must have been a great cork and a perfectly stored bottle). (95 Superb wine)

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Flight 3 - Pinot Noir flight 1 (2 Notes)

  • 2019 Burn Cottage Pinot Noir Burn Cottage Vineyard 94 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

    Drank alongside 2019 Littorai Savoy, in a dual flight before an 05 Morey St Denis, Les Loups, Domaine des Lambrays and 2010 Bannockburn Serre. Classic CO, with vibrant dark cherry fruit and peppy natural acidity. Delicious. Somewhat surprisingly the best Pinot Noir of the night, despite being the cheapest. (94 Excellent wine)

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  • 2019 Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    Drank alongside 2019 Burn Cottage, in a dual flight before an 05 Morey St Denis, Les Loups, Domaine des Lambrays and 2010 Bannockburn Serre. A bit disappointing considering the price and reputation. Not a bad wine in any way, just overshadowed on the night by the excellent Burn Cottage alongside and the cracking Chardonnays beforehand. The Littorai quite subdued on the night despite a decent decant. Perhaps just needing more time to develop. (92+ Very good wine)

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Flight 4 - Pinot Noir flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 2010 Bannockburn Pinot Noir Serre

    Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Geelong

    Drank alongside a 2005 Morey St Denis, Les Loups, Domaine des Lambrays. Like two opposite personalities at a party vying for attention, unfortunately this pair clashed on the night. The Serre made the Morey St Denis seem dull and subdued, while the Burgundy made the Aussie seem brash and unwieldy. Didn’t feel up to giving a rating sorry.

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  • 2005 Domaine des Lambrays Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Les Loups

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis 1er Cru

    Drank alongside a 2010 Bannockburn Serre at the end of a long night. Like two opposite personalities at a party vying for attention, unfortunately this pair clashed on the night. The Serre made the Morey St Denis seem dull and subdued, while the Burgundy made the Aussie seem brash and unwieldy. Didn’t feel up to giving a rating sorry.

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