Amongst other things, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, more commonly known as Michelangelo, was a famous sculptor. He is quoted as saying, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” As we know, this fellow made many a famous sculpture, some of which are still around today.
It made me wonder if a winemaker looks at a block in a vineyard the same way. When the grapes are ripe and ready for picking, do they think to themselves, ‘these grapes have great wine inside them and it is my task to make that great wine.’ I can’t help but think they do, especially when I have the pleasure of tasting wines such as these two from Mayfield Vineyard, situated in the Orange Wine Region of New South Wales.
Region: Orange Region, NSW Price: $37 (each) Source: Samples thanks kindly to Mayfield Vineyard and Define Wine
2023 ‘Eighteen Fifteen’ Chardonnay
Hello Orange Region Chardonnay! This wine first had me when pouring it, then it pulled me in further when my sense of smell was activated by the aromas, and then had me dancing a jig when I tasted it. It is youthful and vibrant, as you would expect from a young Chardonnay, while having a smooth, textural feel as it sits nicely on the palate. There’s a deft touch of oak poking through also and, I have to mention the long goodbye it gives as it leaves your mouth to make room for another hard-to-resist sip.
2023 ‘Mrs Crawford’ Pinot Noir
When it comes to a young wine, there are things you expect and, no surprises here, this is youthful in its appearance, aromatically and on the palate. Having said that, gee this is a lovely Pinot Noir to drink and savour. Bright cherries, strawberries and a slight dried herb like character present nicely on the palate to begin with. Then, a good swirl in the glass helped it open up more, seemingly coating the palate and locking the flavours in for a dry, savoury and long finish. A very good edition to the Mayfield Vineyard wine line up.