Bests Chardonnay 2009

NOTES

Founded in 1866 in the Great Western wine region of Victoria, Best’s Great Western is one of Australia’s oldest continuously family owned and operated wineries.  Until the 1950’s, Best’s red wines were labelled Claret and the white wines were labelled Hock and they were bottled for customers both in Australia and overseas on demand. In the 1960’s, Best’s began to release varietal labelled vintage wines.

Chardonnay was one of the varietals planted first in the Concongella Vineyard in the 1970’s even though cuttings were extremely hard to come by at the time. Best’s winemaker Adam Wadewitz has considerably experience and a passion for making Chardonnay, having worked at outstanding Chardonnay producers like Petaluma and Brokenwood.

Best’s Great Western Chardonnay is picked early to ensure good acidity and to make sure there is no excess sugar, a feature that has been seen in other Chardonnay styles from the region. The wine does not undergo any malolactic fermentation and is partially fermented in stainless steel with the use of wild yeasts. It is aged in 100% French Oak (usually 20-30% is new). Adam’s intention is to produce a refined, balanced and light wine, driven by clean acid that will age well.

TASTING NOTES

Light straw with green hues; a bouquet exhibiting white peach, hints of citrus intermingle with a whisper of fine French oak. The palate displays bright fruit freshness and underlying acid. Mid-palate weight and texture are the hallmarks of this wine. Resounding flavours of brioche and complex textural elements the wine is knitted together by its fine acid backbone. Finishes long and nicely balanced.