Since selling Kooyong Estate the Aylward family has established Ocean Eight as a reference point for sinewy, modern Australian Chardonnay and cherry-laden Pinot Noir. A funky Pinot Gris rounds out the range.
From the 2013 vintage, Ocean Eight ‘Verve’ Chardonnay sums up the estate’s philosophy when it comes to Chardonnay. Stylistically, it shares little in common with Australian Chardonnay of old. Instead of tropical fruit and butterscotch we have flinty sulphides, grapefruit pith and green apple.
What sets this wine apart from the many anorexic examples of modern-day Australian Chardonnay is the exceptional fruit intensity and immediate complexity. It won’t appeal to all drinkers being a slimmer and tauter expression of Chardonnay, but there is a lot of class on show here.
2013 OCEAN EIGHT ‘VERVE’ CHARDONNAYProducer: Ocean Eight
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
ABV: 12.6%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $40.00
Date tasted: 12 March 2015
Tasting Note:
Bright greenish yellow. Sulphides up-front on the nose, grapefruit pith, honeydew melon. Medium bodied, lemon/grapefruit citrus, white nectarine. Restrained but not lean, with excellent fruit intensity. Drinking very well now.
Score: 17/20
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