Recommendation: Not recommended.
Winery/Producer: Belford Produce; Yarra Glen, Australia.
Grape Variety: Chardonnay.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Yarra Valley; Victoria, Australia.
Vintage: 2014
Price: $34.90 (AUS$) about $26.50 (US$) plus a $20 corking fee.
Purchased From: Australian Wine Centre; 1 Alfred Street; Sydney, Australia.
Paired With: Caesar salad with garlic and parmesan cheese. Mozzarella stuffed chicken breast with tomato salad and parsley herb new potatoes.
Tasting:
He said: Chilled before opening. Clear, golden color. Light tropical fruit, melon and wood aromas. Lively tropical fruit taste and a finish that’s full of acidity and mineral. VERY different from the “New World” vanilla and oaky Australian Chardonnay we have been drinking. Refreshing and good paired with the chicken (and cheese), but in the end it was what I call “Not Bad”.
She said: Clear with irregularly spaced thin legs that move surprisingly fast for 12.5% alcohol. The first sniff was very mild and nondescript but the bouquet quickly developed and became pleasantly filled with sweet/ripe fruit. The body was medium, the finish medium-length with hints of minerality and with pleasing acidity. Good balance between the wine and chicken. Mild and pleasant with no strong flavors or aromas, surprising since it was from Australia. The minerality went beyond the finish into an after taste which became undesirable. A pretty good drinking wine but at this price it’s competing with many very excellent Chardonnays.
Comments: Purchased from a Sidney, Australia wine shop and consumed in the Britannia Restaurant on board the Cunard Queen Mary 2.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bar code: NA
Imported by: NA