1999 Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay

Notes sourced from Southcorp Wines.

The hallmark of Lindemans Bin 65 is its outstanding consistency and quality, vintage after vintage. This consistency is achieved by Lindemans' firm adherence to the style formula and sourcing of the best parcels of fruit each vintage from a wide array of premium growing areas throughout the southern states of Australia.Past vintages have received numerous awards in Australia but the greatest accolades have emanated from the North American market. Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay has been named 'Best Buy' by Wine Spectator magazine no less than ten times, an unprecedented achievement by any wine. Wine Spectator has also listed Bin 65 as the "featured wine" in the Top Ten "World Chardonnays" under $US10. Lindemans Bin 65 is the #1 selling Australian wine in USA, outselling its nearest competitor by more than a 5 to 1 ratio, as well as being the third highest selling white wine in Australia. Internationally recognised as one of the best value for money wines throughout the world, it has a depth and richness of flavour rarely seen in this price bracket. Despite an ever-increasing demand, the quality of Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay has continued to improve with each consecutive release.

1999 was an excellent vintage with a cooler February/March for fruit maturing in Sunraysia, resulting in wines with more grapefruit citrus varietal flavours and a bit less of the warmer honey fig notes as seen with the 1998 blend. Arguably, 1999 will be seen as a wine with elegance and softer, yet more defined, melon and grapefruit Chardonnay fruit flavours and structure. Overall, a little lower in alcohol to finish around 13%.

In the tradition of recent Lindemans vintages, the 1999 Bin 65 Chardonnay is sourced from 16 different grape growing regions within Australia, including a significant amount from the cooler Padthaway region in south-eastern South Australia and choice blend components from north-western Victoria and New South Wales.

Chosen blend components from the region of north western Victoria have been produced using controlled oxidative juice handling techniques. These have been combined with components from cooler regions, which have been produced using protective non-oxidative methods. 30% of the final blend underwent malo-lactic fermentation prior to blending. American and French oak was used during fermentation to add additional complexity to the final blend.

Tasting notes: An excellent light medium green colour. The nose displays delicate melon and fig aromas, typical of Bin 65, as well as grapefruit and citrus Chardonnay characters combined with a background of sweet, nutty oak and subtle malo-lactic fermentation complexities. The palate has medium bodied soft varietal fruit flavours, with a soft creamy mid palate finishing with light toasted oak flavours, crisp acidity and a lingering finish. In the tradition of Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay, the 1999 vintage is most attractive now or, with careful cellaring, over the next 18 months. It suits a wide variety of foods including fresh salads, light fish, white meat and seafood dishes. 13% alcohol volume.