Lowestoft Best Barrels Chardonnay

 Following on from the impressive first release Lowestoft Pinot Noir reviewed a few posts below, I am now reporting on the 2019 Lowestoft Best Barrels Chardonnay.

Tasmania has become a hot bed for Chardonnay. And like the Pinot Noir, this is a blended wine of the best barrels from Tamar Valley, Coal River Valley and Tasman Peninsula. This wine was matured in large format oak (I think French), 35% new.

The flavours are complex, with citrus, grapefruit, and a hint of pineapple, added to by the cashew nut of the oak. This is a fresh wine with a balanced texture, and a firm line to the finish.

I would characterize this Chardonnay as occupying the middle ground between the lean types, currently so popular, and the full-blown Chardonnays, say California style.

Score: 94/++ 

Yangarra Rosé

 Yangarra grows all Rhône varieties on its estate. No wonder their Rosé is made in the Provence style with a very pale colour.

But do not be fooled if you plan to drive. This 2023 Yangarra Rosé has 13.0% alcohol. I do not get much on the nose. Purity and freshness are the main impressions on the palate. Flavours of strawberry and pink apple are quite restrained. The wine would work well with a light salad or salmon mousse. If you like your Rosé with low flavour impact, this well made wine is for you. 

Score: 88/+

Yangarra Piquepoul

 Piquepoul Blanc is mainly grown in the Southern Rhône and in Languedoc. It is predominantly blended into Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the percentages are very low. It was first introduced in Australia in 2017. As there is more of a tendency for single varietal wines in Australia, you see this variety now displayed on bottles from McLaren Vale. Coriole was an early leader.

Now it has been picked up by the cannot do wrong Peter Fraser of Yangarra. Is it a worth while effort? I suggest it is. The 2023 Yangarra Piquepoul is a pale green in the glass. It gives fragrant aromas away on the nose.

On the palate, it is a fresh wine, with light pear flavours, good drive, minerality, and a little sweetness on the finish. It tastes a bit like a less serious Chablis. This wine should be drunk quite cool - excellent for summer lunch, in particular salads and also oysters.

Score: 89/++ 

 

Torbreck The Struie

 I often enjoy the mid level wines more than the top wines from wineries which are known to produce late picked, ripe wines. So it is with The Struie from Torbreck.

As always, there is Barossa dirt in an empty Torbreck bottle, but the 2018 Torbreck The Struie delivers a surprise. The colour is deep purple, typical of a full-bodied South Australian Shiraz. The fruit in this year includes only 25% Eden Valley fruit. Normally it is 50%.

On the palate, the complex flavours comprise blackberry, mulberry, black olive, spice, and tobacco. One experiences a full-bodied mouthfeel, and it is surprisingly fresh and alive. The wine is very balanced, matching the fruit with lively acidity and firm tannins. The finish has medium length.

This is an example of a well-made full-bodied Shiraz. It is pretty full throttle, with 15% alcohol, but quite satisfying to drink. It would appeal to a wide range of red wine drinkers.

Score: 95/+++