1998 Nicholson River Chardonnay

This is Ken Eckersleys top wine, produced entirely from fruit grown on the Nicholson River Estate. Brilliant deep straw colour showing some oxidative winemaking influence. Complex aromas of nut, yeast lees and barrel ferment character over a slightly oxidized background. To understand the wines of Nicholson River is to understand the limits of creative winemaking. Eckersley packs so many processes and procedures over the fruit that the finished wine becomes a vehicle of layered, winemaker imposed complexity. The palate does not dissapoint and its complexity is enhanced by a hint of honeyed residual sweetness. Layers of honey, peach, biscuit and yeast lees flavours are superbly meshed into a rich warm mouthcoating experience. The acid levels are O.K. for the short term, say 3-5 years and are followed by very long honey, yeast lees aftertaste. Stocks are limited.