Tasting Notes - Yarra Valley Showcase - 2006 Chardonnay

Bracket View
Very traditional with classic structure, unyielding, should be long-lived.

Punt Road 2006 (Recommended)
Sourced from valley floor fruit, no malo, picked at 11.7 baume, 30% new oak. Lightish gold in colour; in line with the previous bracket. Ripe nose; 'bogan' appeal perhaps but I like it. Some spice and minerals, and oak, keeps the mouthfeel likely. Woody and citrus fruits on the finish.

Giant Steps 2006
1yr old oak, no malo, picked at 13 baume. Very similar in appearance to the Punt Road. Brightly fruited nose with ripe peach and tropical fruits; quite zingy and perhaps some heat. Fruits carry throughout the palate; slightly liqueured, creamy, has strength and length. Very much a 'big' structured wine.

George Millar 2006 (Recommended)
Sourced from a single 19yr old block in Dixon's Creek. Striking oak and burnt match on the nose; very obvious with lots of appeal. Some toasty caramelised oak as well. Good presence; slightly dumb but good fun. Fruits tighten considerably upon tasting; gets very linear with slightly sour citrus fruits. No dumb fruits here, and structure is terrific.

Balgownie 2006
Whole bunch-pressed, mostly upper valley fruit, no malo. Colour is slightly dark gold, some development? Ripe citrus fruits on the nose together with the faintest hint of toasty oak. Simple but effective. Strong presence in the mouth with some prickly acid (not a show stopper), smooth and somewhat creamy; pleasant to drink. Lemon fruits on the finish.

PHI 2006
Upper Yarra fruit, 22yrs old, red soils. Bright and ripe nose, although clearly underpinned with a marzipan / funky note. Very balanced aromas. Tight and elegant palate with tight citrus fruits, would never have picked given the nose. Finishes shy, or maybe even dilutive to my tastes. Could be very young.

Oakridge 2006 (Recommended)
This winery showed very well over the 2 days and this chardonnay kicked things off nicely. Lively, zingy nose; ripe citrus and old oak, slightly old fashioned but very effective. Palate is also tight and linear on this wine (ahla the PHI), but is also very dry, tart, and serious. Can be cellared with confidence.