Chardonnay Taste Off

I've decided to put three Chardonnays against each other on the tasting bench and see how they compare.  I thought that they would vary in quality but that all showed well.  Yet they all tasted so different.  I love when it works that way.

Yalumba FDW7c 2008

This wine starts out with a bowl of mixed nuts, sans salt, then moves into a bit of grapefruit and spice.  The wine is subtle and inviting but it the palate length that is most spectacular for a wine at this price.  Chardonnay is back on the buying menu! This is the kind of wine that creeps up on you and gives you a big hug. 

Alcohol: 13.5
Price: $24
Rated: 90
Drink: now or over the next 5 years. 

Tyrrell’s Belford 2009

Massive amount of oak flavours dominate even though the wine spent 6 months in French oak.  Once the fruit starts to build you get a bit of peach and spice but otherwise it is the oak that provides most of the muscle.  Compared to the Yalumba this tastes a bit too sweet.  Give it few years to lose its baby fat then it should be nice drinking.

Alcohol: 13.5
Price: $30
Rated: 88
Drink: 2014 - 2018 

Barwang 842 2008

I haven’t tried too many wines from Tumbarumba but what I found here I really like.  There are notes of lime, spice and grilled hazelnuts but it is the acidity that sets this apart.  It almost tastes like there is a piece of struck quartz in the bottom of my glass that I just can’t get my tongue around.   I love it but it gets better on the second day so I would leave this a while for it to fill out a bit.

Alcohol: 13.5
Price: $29
Rated: 91 +
Drink: 2012 - 2019 

Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2008

I’ve been drinking a few Chardonnays of late but have been mainly looking at smaller producers; now its time to see what the larger wineries can do.  I had to wear sunglasses to drink this as there is soo much bling on the bottle. Trophy after trophy right across the bottle which would mean that if I was a medal drinker this would be right up my ally. 

Hardys Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2008

The wine sat open for 24 hours before I even looked at it and what you get screams at you for it seriousness and cellar ability.  Precision and focus are two words to describe the flavours that pierce your mouth.  Flavours of almond meal, spice, grapefruit, green melon and lemon sorbet effortless build into crescendo while the acidity keeps everything refreshed and invigorating.   Will be spectacular in a few years. 

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $60
Rated: 93
Drink: 2015 - 2020