Juniper Estate Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia

杜松莊園系列霞多麗干白葡萄酒

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：4293

The 2019 vintage was cool and wet, and the season was responsible for some beautiful wines of presence and poise. Here, the 2019 Estate Chardonnay is toasty and spicy on the nose, littered with curry leaves and salted yellow peaches alongside preserved citrus and green olives in brine. In the mouth, the acidity is piercing, and the fruit is concentrated—both in balance with each other. This is an excellent wine, long. It was made with fruit from two vineyards: Wilyabrup (home block) and Forest Grove (further south). It has a wild ferment in barrel and matured for 10 months in French oak (45% new). 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

The 2018 Estate Chardonnay is soft and mealy, punctuated by salty acidity and layers of crushed nuts. The fruit is quite restrained here, surprisingly so given the conditions, finishing with a warm/wide, nougat/marzipan character that further emphasizes the softness. It is mouthfilling but jolted alive by firm acidity. 13%alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

The 2017 vintage was cool and wet (cooler and wetter than the 2019 season that was to come later). The Chardonnays have been excellent, and on the whole, I far prefer them to the reds produced in this year. Here, the 2017 Estate Chardonnay speaks of stone fruit and crushed nuts, some roasted grapefruit and a hint of jersey caramel creeping into the finish. Nothing can dampen the acidity. This is complex and textural and quite rich. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

The 2016 Estate Chardonnay is balanced and lovely. The plush bedding of phenolics and oak give ground to the poached orchard fruit, stewed apples/pastry and gentle spice. This is a complete, lovely, graceful Chardonnay that is holding its age so well here. It makes the 2017 and 2018 vintage look so awkward in their youth, but this makes it an even more welcome indicator of direction. Bravo. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

The 2015 Estate Chardonnay is starting to move into a place in its evolution where I regard Margaret River Chardonnays as having the potential to really come into their own. Here, the flavors have all started to harmonize: top notes of orchard fruit, preserved citrus and apples of all persuasions come into contact with meal, lanolin and flowers. Very pretty. Soft. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.