Thompson Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2012


Recommendation: A good “new world” Chardonnay that has just enough “old world” to satisfy everyone!!!

Winery/Producer: Thompson Estate; Wilybrup, Australia.

Grape Variety: Chardonnay.

Geographic Region, Appellation: Margaret River, Western Australia.

Vintage: 2012

Price: 34.90 (AUS$) about $27.50 (US$) plus a $20 corking fee..

Purchased From: Australian Wine Centre; 1 Alfred Street; Sydney, Australia.

Paired With: Grilled salmon, bak choy and roasted potatoes with a rutabaga sauce.

Tasting:

    He said: Chilled before opening. Clear, light golden color with a slight greenish tint. Light mushroom and damp earth aromas. Smooth, creamy, vanilla, oak and tropical and citrus fruit taste that ends with a long finish with a slight citrus crispnessat the end. A good in between Chardonnay. Nice creaminess and vanilla/oak without being over the top, and just the right amount of crisp acidity. Nice drinking alone and with the salmon it was delicious. The crispness was an excellent match for the salmon and the rutabaga sauce. A good “new world” Chardonnay that has just enough “old world” to satisfy everyone!!!

    She said: Clear with scant legs moving lazily. Mild damp earth and barnyard aromas give way to a totally different taste that combines hints of citrus, tropical fruits and light oak. The long finish is dry and continues the flavors ending with citrus and pleasant crispness. By the end of the meal the wine was slightly warmer and a tartness appeared in the finish. The wine went very well with the salmon. The light oakiness complemented the salmon and the crispness was perfect with the sauce. Full of flavor and with a long finish this wine was good alone and even better with salmon. The strong citrus flavor and its slight tartness in the finish became less desirable by the end of the dinner.

    Comments:
    Purchased in a Sidney, Australia wine shop and consumed in the Britannia Restaurant on board the Cunard Queen Mary 2.

Alcohol: 12.5%

Bar code: 9 338217 000041

Imported by: NA