Chardonnay 2021
$45.00
In the glass:
The usual suspects for a Chardonnay. In fact, I’m not really going to review such a well-known Chardonnay like – Leeuwin Estate Prelude.
Really most of what you need to know is on the back label at any rate.
I will just give you a few pointers on what I like and didn’t like about this and most of the Australian Chardonnays, I have been drinking of late in the $30.00 to $45.00 range from well-known producers.
First of all, is the initial impact on the palate, lemon, lime, fresh white peach and not a lot else happening – not dissimilar to all the other Australian Chardonnays on our shelves at the moment.
YES – Before you say it; That’s what Chardonnay should taste like – (Dickhead). Yes, I know; However, for me they seem to have lost their sense of place and identity. The – who has made it, or where it comes from? as they all taste pretty much the same. Yes, Its Chardonnay! the (style). YES – Once again I know that, but it’s been that way for a long time now. Are the big boys just making wines to a formula and not true to each vintage? Is everyone is striving for consistency each year, rather than individuality.
I’m sorry it’s just my plate wanting to be excited again by a grape I love so much and I am finding only, disappointment because it tastes just like the last bottle I opened, regardless of who made it or where it was grown, they have lost their individuality their sense of place the reason I wanted to buy this wine in the first place.
Bring on the funk, Bring back some oak at least.
I’m looking for a $30.00 to $45.00, Wow factor here.
YES, there are $25.00 Chardonnays out there that deliver, in spades. However, I’m not looking for spades, I am looking for something better than that. And I think for $45.00 a bottle I should be getting it. And at the moment I’m not. (Far from it in-fact)
The only Chardonnays that I have tasted lately, have been different and show any sign of being true to vintage. Have all been from the small vineyards dotted across Victoria, with tin sheds with for cellar doors, the small cellar door you have to make an appointment to get in with a big BUSSES and sign at the gate.
Their wines are bigger, bolder, lighter, fruity, dryer, sweeter, just different in general from this year to last year and most importantly just a little bit different to the vineyard next door.
We need to support the small winemaker as they are willing to push the envelope and are making honest wines true to vintage taking the good years with the bad and making their wines stand out from the rest.
So, get out there this year and support Victoria’s small-batch winemakers and vineyards making real wines true to the site and vintage.
Shit, the Rot really has set in.
Starting 2023 off with a full-on whinge about Chardonnay losing its individuality and identity of place and not getting what I feel is value for money anymore.
PS. This is my rant and rave and thoughts alone as I have been tasting a lot of Chardonnay from the bigger producers in the $30.00 to $45.00 price range and for myself, it’s getting harder to choose one over the other as there is not a lot of difference between them.
Most times, It’s just a case of what brand should I put on the shelf.
Guys, we all have to get on the road this year and visit the small cellar door vineyards to track down the real gems on offer around Victoria in particular, use trips like this to single out an individual area you enjoy and make the most of it. Camp out for the weekend. Have fun and find the hidden gems before they too become well known. And strive for consistency, rather than individuality.
Michael Lillis 
