The Yarra Valley has garnered an enviable reputation over the past couple of decades for Chardonnays out of makers like Toolangi who planted their first vines there back in December 1995.
As the latest release from this small family-owned operation, their 2012 is a veritable explosion in the glass of what Chardonnay is all about, with predominantly citrusy grapefruit flavours to the fore and quite extraordinary length (how long the flavour lasts in the back of the throat after swallowing).
Owners Garry and Julie Hounsell went in hard with the secateurs for this wine, pruning back heavily to maximise fruit flavour and quality as Yarra Valley vines, with the climate they enjoy, can be quite prolific producers. Interestingly, after harvesting, the fruit was processed at two separate wineries, Yering Station and Oakridge, with the resultant blend put together at Yering Station.
This 2012 Toolangi Chardonnay is nicely priced for a premium drop at $25, and with its full-on varietal flavours makes for an ideal partner with everything on the table from simple roast chicken, to grilled lobster if you’re celebrating, or for more casual outdoor barbecue of veal chops and mushrooms.
One to note: If that Toolangi Chardonnay was all about flavour in a white wine, Rosemount Estate’s MV Collection 2012 Shiraz is all about flavour in a red wine.
One of four wines released mid-year under the MV (McLaren Vale) Collection label, this one is again a glass whopper that’s all flavour, flavour and more flavour – with savoury blackberry to the fore and nice back-up cherry fruit, supple tannins and a long finish, justifying Rosemount’s Chief Winemaker Matt Koch’s summation that McLaren Vale is one of the company’s “most dynamic wine regions.”
Pay $25 and match this one nicely with a Sunday beef roast or barbecued herbed lamb chops.
