1999 Xanadu Chardonnay

Produced from low yielding, mature chardonnay vines. Bright straw colour. Barrel ferment nose of yeast lees, butterscotch, spice, tropical fruits and peach. On the palate flavours of melon, nut, butterscotch and yeast lees. Good weight, clean crisp acidity followed by melon, yeast lees and butterscotch aftertaste.Like so many wooded chardonnays, this lacks any sense of ‘Regionality’. This appears to be an increasing tendency with chardonnay. They are all beginning to converge, and its becoming very difficult to find regional differences. In part this is due to the formulated approach adopted by wine makers. For inspiration they should look towards the depth and complexity – not to mention individuality developed by wines such as Leeuwin Estate, Giaconda, Bannockburn and the best of Paringa Estate. Greater individuality will avoid the ABC syndrome – ANYTHING BUT CHARDONNAY.

RATING: 87/100

VALUE: XXX/5