90
Jay Miller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"White wines $20 and up. Recommended and tasted, but no tasting note given." -90 points- Jay Miller- Wine Advocate
WINE:
"This Hunter Chardonnay vineyard is sited on deep alluvial gravely sand- immediately adjacent to the Semillon block- so these old, low yielding vines have a lot in common with regard to yield, the fine fruit presence, finesse, elegant structure and balance."
"The 2007 Vintage was warm and dry, providing ideal weather for achieving fully ripe Chardonnay with bright and zesty acidity. As with most varieties, Chardonnay yields were slightly lower than usual and therefore ripened up earlier, so the flavour definition was excellent at the time of harvest. The recommended cellaring time is 5 to 7 years. Screwcap sealed to provide our best quality assurance and the ultimate potential for cellaring."
"Vibrant and fresh citrus, pear, and pineapple characters run along the palate, with hints of nectarine perfume and elements of minerally barrel ferment complexity. This is a tight, bright, focussed wine with a concentrated nucleus of ripe fruit essence, given more texture and balance with fine oak. The finish has poise and brightness, showing 'mouth-watering' fine natural acidity, and an orange-grapefruit racy acid length." -Winery
WINEMAKING:
"Sophisticated barrel fermentation takes place in new French oak, where solids-in-ferment produces rich texture and concentrated flavor length. Malo-ferment is minimised to retain the natural vibrant and racy acid balance and freshness."
"Elegant bright fruit needs elegant oak handling as well, so lightly-toasted barrels of fine-grained French oak are used. The unclarified wine is left on lees in barrel for only 3 months so that it remains subdued and subtle, letting the Chardonnay fruit command the palate, preserving its freshness and the maximizing its potential for cellaring." -Winery
WINERY:
"Keith Tulloch is a fourth generation Hunter Valley Winemaker, so the soils of Pokolbin and the wines of the Hunter Valley run deep in his blood. In 1997 Keith began his own company, and produces wines under his own label focussing only on the traditional Hunter Valley varieties- Semillon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, and more recently. Cabernet Sauvignon- sourcing grapes from only the best vineyard sites. For Keith the greatest reward has been found- making his own wines with a unique stamp of personality, power and integrity- away from the mainstream, and with a individual style and flair." -Winery
See this wine on Cellar Tracker here: http://www.cellartracker.com//wine.asp?iWine=430001