McWilliam’s Chardonnay 2007

McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate, South Eastern Australia, Chardonnay 2007 In the nose there is plenty of fruit, from pear to tropicals like papaya. In the mouth the freshness of the fruit is front and center, accentuated by just enough acidity, with a little warmth and oaky richness as well as a roundness to the mouthfeel -very nice.

20% of the wine was fermented in a combo of new and used French and American oak. 35% of the wine went through ML and all of the wine experienced 3 months of aging on the lees with battonage. The RS is 5.2 grams per litre which amplifies the fruit and contributes to the mouthfeel.

I realize that it is more common to bash high production wines with a bit of RS (this one is 20,000 cases) than laud them but this wine delivers the goods at a price point. The suggested retail in the states is $12 and it has discounted down to $8.49 at wine.com. wine.com is now sold out but there must be a retailer that still has some stock on hand at a similar price.

And you have to know that while many a pundit will scoff at any trickle of RS in traditionally dry wines, a fair number of Chards on the market utilize this enhancement to please the people, albeit without an over mention.

Full disclosure: This was a trade sample and I had the opportunity to visit with Scott McWilliam in the Hunter some years ago and thus have a soft spot in my heart for the wines that he makes. It’s too bad that we don’t have access to the amazing Semillon that Scott has been making – the mature bottles are ethereal.

This ’07 Chardonnay was vinted & bottled in New South Wales, 13.5% alcohol. McWilliam’s

More Popular Posts

Etosha Aoba Lodge

Onguma Game Reserve, located on the east side of Etosha's fence line, offers a number of accommodation options. We chose to stay in one of the bush suites at Etosha Aoba Lodge, one of the eleven thatched-roof bungalows, where the little houses blend harmoniously into...

Bush Walks at Onguma Nature Reserve

Walking in the wilds of Africa is indeed a treat and one that we pursue whenever available, after first experiencing the opportunity in Kruger. In planning this trip to Etosha, Linda found that the team at Onguma makes these bush walks available and we booked. Victor,...