1999 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Vineyard Chardonnay

A complex, multilayered wine. Bright golden colour showing both oxidative handling and bottle age. The nose is quite pronounced with bottle age quite evident. Strong notes of yeast lees and biscuit are evident. The layers of complexity build on the palate – biscuit, almond, hazelnut and yeast lees are enmeshed with toasted oak. Excellent length. The acidity is holding up. Very long aftertaste of yeast lees, biscuit and cashews.
Cellar 2-3 years (2005-2006)
Alc/Vol: 14.0%

RATING: 94/100

VALUE: XXXX/5

First Tasted: October 2001
This is a big oxidized style of Chardonnay, which is left field of mainstream Chardonnay styles. Some may find it’s largeness grotesque – we quite liked it; in fact we liked it a lot. It delivers a wine of great flavour complexity. Brilliant golden colour, showing considerable oxidized character. Complex nose, with layers of toasted oak, hazelnut, smoked almonds, yeast lees and butterscotch. This wine shows a very strong secondary character. Totally mouthfilling flavour with layers of toasted honey, biscuit and smoked almonds. Outstanding length and concentration, clean finish, with exceptionally long aftertaste.
Cellar 3-4 years. (2004 – 2005)
RATING: 97
VALUE: XXXXX