2019 Astrolabe Wines Chardonnay

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 90 points

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  5/25/2022 - forceberry wrote: 90 Points

  100% Chardonnay from four different clones, sourced from three vineyards in Marlborough: estate fruit from the organically farmed The Farm in lower Wairau Valley (22%) and purchased fruit from Little Oasis Windmill Block in lower Awatere Valley (48%) and organically farmed Wrekin' Vineyard in Fairhall Valley (30%). Pressed in whole clusters, fermented spontaneously and aged for 10 months in French oak barriques and 500-liter demi-muids. 13,5% alcohol, 2,1 g/l residual sugar, 5,1 g/l acidity and pH 3,38. Tasted blind.
  
  Youthful, fresh pale greenish color. Somewhat smoky and subtly reductive nose with aromas of savory wood spice, some grilled pineapple, a little bit of ripe and spicy red apple, light apricot tones, a reductive hint of gunpowder smoke and a touch of nutty wood. The wine is juicy, ripe and full-bodied on the palate with a broad overall feel and vibrant flavors of grilled pineapple, some smoky toasty notes, a little bit of savory wood spice, light sweet nuances of nectarines, a hint of fresh apricot and a touch of smoky reduction. The moderately high acidity keeps the wine pretty nicely in balance. The finish is ripe, long and juicy with nuanced flavors of sweet red apple, some smoky notes of toasted savory wood spice, a little bit of grilled pineapple, light nutty notes of oak and a hint of fresh nectarine.
  
  A sophisticated and harmonious new world Chardonnay with balanced structure and judicious use of oak. The combination of toasted wood and smoky reduction lend a quite Burgundian feel to the wine (the classic Coche / PYCM smoke), but the overall feel is slightly more ripe and tropical compared to the classic Burgundy whites. My guess was Western Australian Chardonnay - not the correct country, but at least I was in the right part of the world this time! Priced according to its quality at 23,99€.

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