2015 Balnaves of Coonawarra Chardonnay

The Balnaves Coonawarra Vineyard was established in 1975, and is situated at the southern end of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. This richly flavoured and textured Chardonnay was fermented in French oak barriques (20% new) with 45% of the ferments being wild. Maturation took place in the same oak regime with lees contact for a period of 11 months.

Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. On the nose pronounced ripe peach and dried honey aromas marry into toasty oak, cashew, hints of butterscotch and spicy nougat. Medium to full bodied the palate features rich peach, ripe nectarine, subtle fresh apricot and dried honey flavours which meld into biscuity oak, cashew, nougat and spice elements. Creamy mouthfeel finishing with good freshness and a long textured aftertaste of ripe peaches, dried honey characters, biscuity nougat, cashew and spice.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews….
Pete Bissell gets chardonnay to a level unequalled by any other winemaker in the region. Hand-picked, whole bunch-pressed direct to Louis Latour barriques (20% new) for 45% wild and 55% cultured yeast fermentation, matured for 11 months on lees. Bissell nailed the harvest date of 20 Feb, posing the fruit between citrus and stone fruit, nougat, honey and creamy notes to come in the future. Drink by 2025.
96 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion