Paxton Thomas Block Chardonnay

It has probably been more than ten years since I have tried a Chardonnay from McLarenVale. They used to be big and buttery, the climate simply too hot.

Paxton has adopted a biodynamic approach in the vineyard, so I thought I give the 2009 Paxton Thomas Block Chardonnay a try. This is a bigger wine than from Australia's cool climate regions, but it is not a traditional McLaren Vale Chardonnay.

The fruit is mainly white peach, quite clean, a little broad and undifferentiated. Oak is very present, but not overpowering. Too much complexity cannot be expected at this mid 20s price point.

The wine is well made, a bit bigger than a Chablis drinker would want, but a pleasant 'winter' white.

Score: 88/0