2019 McKelvey Chardonnay

MRV 2019

Variety: 47% Marsanne | 43%  Roussanne  | 10% Viognier
Region: Hunter Valley

Tasting Notes

This wine was previously known as Epogée

The boldness of this wine is obvious even in how it presents in the glass, with a strong lemon-yellow colour with flecks of green.

Aromatically, this wine is really in a class of its own. All three varieties contribute differently to the bouquet: Marsanne (47%) gifts the highlights of fresh citrus and pear, sweet lemon and fig. Roussanne (43%) fills out the fruit accents of ripe apple, honey, and fine herb tea. 

Finally, a dash of Viognier (10%) brings bright and floral distinction, with clear notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom plus hints of jasmine. 

The characteristics of each variety add a different character to the aroma and this complexity carries on throughout the palate of the wine. The Marsanne and Roussanne combine perfectly for pear, fig and macadamia flavours that are lush, layered and textured whilst viognier confers a nectarine tang with fine cardamom-like spiciness. These three varieties were fermented individually in French oak barrels before blending, which supports these layers of texure with subtle spice and creaminess onto the finish.

Drink:Now to 2025
Food Match: Gnocchi, pasta, or seafood

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.6%
pH: 3.32 

2020 Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay
Region:     Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  20+ years old

Tasting Notes

This barrel-fermented Chardonnay presents in the glass with colours of green straw, hints of jade-green plus pale lemon brightness.

The fruit aromas of this wine showcase ripe nectarine perfumes, supported by finer scents of pineapple, white fig and jasmine. Barrel fermenting combines richness with refinement, contributing fine yoghurt and cream aromas plus subtle hazelnut and cashew-like oak elements.

Stone fruit and citrus are in even balance on the palate, with nectarine and ripe-lemon mixing beautifully with sorbet-like tang. The yoghurt and cashew hints from the oak are present here too; they will continue to build on the palate over time, amplifying the creamy complexity and satiny charm.

Drink: Now to 2025.

Food Match: Shellfish, poultry dishes, and soft cheeses.

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.9%
pH: 3.23

Single Vineyard Range

2019 Latara Vineyard Semillon                                           

Variety:      100% Semillon 

Vineyard:    Keith Tulloch Latara Vineyard

Region:       Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vine age:    Vines planted in 1978

Tasting Notes

This single vineyard on Deasys Road, Pokolbin was established in 1978 on volcanic, clay and limestone soils. The site has a gentle rise with a Western aspect, providing plentiful sunlight for consistently outstanding fruit. Latara Semillon posses a very striking personality: a pure clarity of colour, aroma and flavour, delivering extra radiance and volume with natural grace and power.

Colour : Extremely fine with flecks of lime and neon-green.

Aromas: The vineyard signature fruit characters are ripe lime-juice and lemongrass through to zesty tropical notes of Kaffir lime and pineapple. 

Palate: A bolder expressive palate full of juicy lime energy with the textural roundness of golden apple with zesty tropical fruit and pineapple. Flavours combine with an elegant sherbet-like balance: fresh and tangy, effortlessly long, with terrific focus and persistence. 

Cellaring: Showing beautiful harmony already, but in 5 years it will be sensational drinking, and in 10 years even better.

Drink: Now - 2030. 
165 dozen made.                                                          

Technical Data
Alcohol   10.5%
pH           2.74
TA           7.6

Single Vineyard Range

2019 Eagles Rest Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Eagles Rest Vineyard

Region:    Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

Vine Age:  Vines planted in 1970's by Don Maxwell

Tasting Note

Planted at 200m altitude on a Southern facing steep slope on deep red volcanic basalt soil, in the foothills of the Brokenback Mountain Range.

Colour: crystalline bright: a very youthful, fine chiffon yellow.

Aromas: primary fruits are yellow pineapple to bright nectarine with subtle hints of jasmine and fine oak, suggestions of pistachio and vanilla.

Palate: defines pineapple and stone-fruit with a crisp minerally finish. Fine textures due to whole-bunch inclusion at pressing, generate an elegant umami that matches the finesse of fruit and the delicacy of oak. Creamy yeast-lees chime in with savoury textural hints of yoghurt and cashew, and these elemental signatures will enrich the main flavours with plush roundness as the wine matures and softens.

 This vineyard has excellent pedigree and potential. This 2019 Chardonnay will last for many years and show at its best from 2025 and onwards. If drinking now please allow time in the glass, or decant, and enjoy.

Drink: Now to 2030

150 dozen made.

James Halliday 94 points

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.5%

pH:        3.22

TA:         6.1