In this particular imbiber’s not so humble opinion, Macedon is one of ,if not the, most exciting regions in mainland Australia for the two great Burgundian varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The likes of Bindi, Epis and Curly Flat produce some of the most refined examples and Chardonnay and Pinot Noir seen in Australia today.
2011 is a rather derided vintage in much of Australia. It was a cool, damp year, one that presented a number of viticultural issues, not the least being the proliferation of rot. Yet, there seems to be a bit of revisionism going on, with some who initially saw little charm in the vintage now acknowledging that there were some real winners in 2011.
While 2011 was a challenging vintage, Chardonnay was a triumph. While Mornington Peninsula veteran Main Ridge didn’t release a Pinot Noir from 2011, proprietor Nat White suggests that the 2011 Chardonnay could be the best ever produced chez Main Ridge. Anyone who has tasted the 2011 Giaconda Estate Chardonnay will recognise that it is one of the best white wines ever bottled on these shores.
The team at Curly Flat are equally upbeat about their 2011 Chardonnay. At 13.5% ABV, it’s certainly not a shy and retiring creature. On the nose, it is open, inviting and immediately complex. The bouquet delivers an interesting array of primary fruit and winemaking derived characters. In the mouth, it is quite a ‘worked’ Chardonnay, round and creamy in texture, with fine acidity providing balance and length. It is a good Chardonnay without a doubt, but perhaps not quite up to the standard of the excellent 2010, which seems to have just a touch more structure. That said, lovers of premium Australian Chardonnay will find a lot to like here, and with good reason.
2011 CHARDONNAY
Producer: Curly Flat
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2011
Region: Macedon Ranges
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $45.00
Date tasted: 29 September 2013
Tasting Note:
Greenish yellow with golden glints. Open nose of honeydew melon, white peach, grilled hazelnuts and vanilla. Round and creamy in texture, extremely drinkable, even on its own. Fine balancing acidity carries the finish. Good quality Chardonnay of a relatively ‘worked’ style. There’s plenty to like here, though it would seem to be best enjoyed in the short to medium term.
Score: 16.5/20
2011 is a rather derided vintage in much of Australia. It was a cool, damp year, one that presented a number of viticultural issues, not the least being the proliferation of rot. Yet, there seems to be a bit of revisionism going on, with some who initially saw little charm in the vintage now acknowledging that there were some real winners in 2011.
While 2011 was a challenging vintage, Chardonnay was a triumph. While Mornington Peninsula veteran Main Ridge didn’t release a Pinot Noir from 2011, proprietor Nat White suggests that the 2011 Chardonnay could be the best ever produced chez Main Ridge. Anyone who has tasted the 2011 Giaconda Estate Chardonnay will recognise that it is one of the best white wines ever bottled on these shores.
The team at Curly Flat are equally upbeat about their 2011 Chardonnay. At 13.5% ABV, it’s certainly not a shy and retiring creature. On the nose, it is open, inviting and immediately complex. The bouquet delivers an interesting array of primary fruit and winemaking derived characters. In the mouth, it is quite a ‘worked’ Chardonnay, round and creamy in texture, with fine acidity providing balance and length. It is a good Chardonnay without a doubt, but perhaps not quite up to the standard of the excellent 2010, which seems to have just a touch more structure. That said, lovers of premium Australian Chardonnay will find a lot to like here, and with good reason.
2011 CHARDONNAY
Producer: Curly Flat
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2011
Region: Macedon Ranges
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $45.00
Date tasted: 29 September 2013
Tasting Note:
Greenish yellow with golden glints. Open nose of honeydew melon, white peach, grilled hazelnuts and vanilla. Round and creamy in texture, extremely drinkable, even on its own. Fine balancing acidity carries the finish. Good quality Chardonnay of a relatively ‘worked’ style. There’s plenty to like here, though it would seem to be best enjoyed in the short to medium term.
Score: 16.5/20
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