Words from a Wine Glass

If someone said to me, “When you’re in New South Wales, make sure you visit Cowra.  There’s some nice wines coming out of there,” it would be met with a rather quizzical look and a raised eyebrow.  Hold that thought.

This one from the Windowrie guys is worth having a good look at.  It’s organic and biodynamic and will attract those who hunt down this type of wine, but I reckon it will be more widespread because of how ‘chardonnay’ it is.

It shows itself as Chardonnay from the start.  Stone-fruits are evident but it was like it had been sharing a fruit basket with pears and bananas (just my opinion of course).  There is a nice texture to it as well, along the lines of pear peel (or skin whatever your preferred term is).  The other thing coming to mind was a mealy, yeasty, European wheat beer flavour/aroma (without the fizz and froth) which I thought was a nice, delicate and interesting dimension.

Now, I must say, it took a little time to settle down but when it did, it impressed me.  My advice, for what it’s worth and I know I’ve said this before when it come to white wines… don’t serve it too cold.  I’d be more than happy to tell my friends about this Chardy.

windowrie.com.au

Region: Cowra, NSW     Price: $25     Source: Sample courtesy of Define Wine and Windowrie

Disclaimer first up.  I helped Michael O’Brien at the Taste of Tasmania when he had a couple of staff that were not able to assist him pour tastings and sell his wine.  I tried this wine prior to this event.

The word ‘unoaked’ before Chardonnay has, and always will be, a concern to me.  Most that I have tried have been like a sheet of white A4 paper.  One dimensional, quite flat and uninteresting.  Maybe I’ve tried the wrong wines.  That’s probably my fault for not seeking out the right wines.

So, what can I tell you about this one.  To start with it was a tad subdued but with a little help became fresh and lively on the nose.  Same same on the palate where it also shows some citrus characters (similar to Riesling I thought) then add a nice smooth texture, a bit of length and it’s a pretty cool package.

Now, I’m not saying this one will knock your socks off because that is not what you should expect from an unoaked Chardonnay.  This is the perfect, easy drinking, ‘crack it, share it and relax with it’ summer afternoon drink.

domainedawnelle.com

Region: Upper Derwent Valley, Tasmania     Price: $36     Source: Wine Show Tasting

Michael O’Brien is the man behind Domaine Dawnelle.  Well he’s also the man in front and to the left and to the right of Domaine Dawnelle.  He does everything.  Well, I think he does because every time I see something on social media involving Domaine Dawnelle, there is Michael making, bottling, spruiking, selling or showcasing the wines.  Anyone would think he is/owns Domaine Dawnelle.  ‘Gloria’ is named in honour of his grandmother.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before but Chardonnay seems to get left behind in the ‘white wine’ popularity stakes at the moment and I’ve no idea why especially when there are examples like this one out there.

Pale straw in colour is the first indication of its youthfulness.  Rich stone fruit aromas tell you it’s off to a starry ‘Chardonnay’ start and it keeps getting better.  That richness continues on the palate but it also seems delicate and restrained.  There are some tropical fruit flavours but they don’t dominate, a lovely creaminess and texture that reminded me a bit of macadamia nuts in liquid form but without the coarseness (try it and you’ll know what I mean).  Throw in some minerality, a nice dash of acidity and, Ta-Daa, you have a terrific, premium Chardonnay that has come together beautifully!

domainedawnelle.com

Region: Southern Tasmania     Price: $46     Source: Sample courtesy of Domaine Dawnelle (Photo is of the 2016 vintage)