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2019 Wheeler East Hill Chardonnay

Yarra Valley, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
$29. 99
Bottle
$359.88 Dozen
Minimum 12 bottles
Cellar: Drink now - 2 Years (2021-2023)
ABV: 13.2%
Closure: Stelvin
Fermented in 50% seasoned French oak barrels and 50% tank with 9 months on lees and 100% malolactic fermentation. Brilliant pale straw colour with a greenish tinge running around the outskirts and a watery hue. Aromas of yellow peach and ripe apricot mix with bees wax, lemon butter and spice. Rich yellow peach and ripe pear fruits mix with honeyed characters, citrusy nougat and light butterscotch. Texturally full it finishes with a nicely balanced freshness and a cream tinged aftertaste.
Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Alc. 13.2%

Other Reviews….
“The Chardonnays are made in essentially an identical fashion to try to show the difference in the sites (opposing sides of the valley). The East Hill in an elevated spot in Kangaroo Ground (confusingly on the Western side of the valley) is warmer but slower to ripen -typically harvested about a week after Willowlake. Both whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented in 50% seasoned French oak and 50% tank. Rested on fine lees for 9 months and 100% MLF (or as far as they want to go on their own). Unfined & unfiltered.” Anyway, an interesting pair of wines. The East Hill is bright and golden in colour, and the Willowlake is cloudy and much paler.
Sort of a persimmon and papaya thing, along with spice, nuts and butter, perhaps a little aniseed floating about. It’s soft and gently buttery, but has a core of fresh acidity, a subtle chalkiness, and a saline savoury finish of fair length. Interesting style, and a bit different from the Yarra Valley mainstream too. Drink 2020-2023.
92 points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front