The Chardonnay Thread

[qaz]

I always thought that I'd start a(n aged) riesling thread next after the pinot noir one, given that riesling fanatics like myself probably come second to pinot lovers in terms of their passion for that varietal, and as pinot is to shiraz, so riesling is possibly considered the hip modish low-fi underdog, perhaps the preferred alternative for those who want to be seen as being in the know and enlightened...

However for me somewhat running counter to that, chardonnay displays more complexity, depth and variety, due to its different winemaking techniques, as opposed to the purity of young riesling, not that that necessarily makes it better or worse, just different and what I currently seem to enjoy more

Chardonnay's back in flavour
Wine: the annual white burgundy tasting
James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge: the winners are...
For the love of chardonnay

These are my picks from Cellarmasters after paying $10 for a $100 voucher (Groupon referral), 7% Cashrewards, 5% off WISH gift card (note that dispatch can be delayed upon request to avoid hot weather):

• Wolf Blass White Label 2016 $15.60

Previous vintages have been well-reviewed (eg. JO/CM94) and the 2015 was so enjoyable recently, after current favourite Stonier Reserve 2013, that I considered ordering more from cellardoor.co until this arose​

• Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard 2016 $44.20 (HH/PC96, CM/AG/JH95)
• Marchand & Burch 2016 $45.08 (GTW/HH/JH/RJ96, GW95, JO92)
• Mixed Champagne 6pk $186 ($31/bt)
  • 3x Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV
  • 3x Lanson Black Label Brut NV

Cellardoor.co (possible $25 credit):

• Seppelt Jaluka 2016 $15.50 (JH94, MB93)
• Coldstream Hills Reserve 2015 $42 (JH97, CM(WF)95)
• Coldstream Hills Mixed Selection 6pk $185 ($30.83/bt)
  • 2016 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
  • 2014 Coldstream Hills Rising Vineyard Chardonnay
  • 2015 Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay
  • 2016 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
  • 2015 Coldstream Hills The Esplanade Pinot Noir
  • 2014 Coldstream Hills Reserve Shiraz

Dan Murphy's after 3.5% Cashrewards & 5% off WISH:

• Toolangi Vineyards Pauls Lane 2012 $32 (JH97, HH92)
• Toolangi Reserve 2010 $45 (JH97, HH95)
• Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Vineyard Drive Block 2012 $59.48 (JH97, GW96, JO/HH95)
• Love Affair with Pinot Noir & Chardonnay 6pk $209.54 ($34.92/bt)

Other deals elsewhere include:

• Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Hazeldene Vineyard 2016 $36.17 (CM(WF)/HH/JH96)
  • also available in Yarra Valley Wine Show 6pk $265 ($44.17/bt)
    • 1 x 2016 LVS - Hazeldene Vineyard Chardonnay
    • 1 x 2016 LVS - Willowlake Vineyard Chardonnay
    • 1 x 2015 864 Funder & Diamond Chardonnay
    • 1 x 2016 864 Hazeldene Block 1 Pinot Noir
    • 1 x 2016 LVS - Henks Vineyard Pinot Noir
    • 1 x 2017 Oakridge Meunier

• Luke Lambert Crudo 2017 $24.21 @ AusCellardoor after 10% off (GW94)

• Flametree SRS 2015 $44.99 @ My Wine Guy with NOVEMBER10 for 10% off - ends today (RJ97, HH96, CM(WF)/JH95, JO90; $30 vouchers available)

• Stonier Lyncroft 2013 $30 @ Cellar One (CM(WF)95, HH94 JO92; $25 referral credit)

• Stella Bella Serie Luminosa 2013 $46.50 @ Winery Lane with $75 voucher (HH/JH96, GW95)

• Amelia Park Reserve 2016 $38.50-$44.95

• Langton's Victorian Chardonnay Showcase 6pk $330 ($55/bt) (possible $50 vouchers)

• A. Rodda Willow Lake 2016 $32

• Dappled Appellation 2016 $24

• Burton McMahon D’Aloisio 2016 $27.50

 

[qaz]

Shaw + Smith M3 2015 $31.43 @ Winebubble using 25black today only

At Cracka Wines after $9.95 delivery, $50 voucher, 8.5% Cashrewards:

• 2013 Forest Hill Block 8 $28.65
• 2016 Dexter $28.65

 

[qaz]

Compared with their pinot noir, I haven't tried much of their chardonnay, but given that this has received rave reviews, that might have to change: Dog Point 2015 $34.99 @ My Wine Guy ($30 voucher)

• Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Hazeldene Vineyard 2016 $36.17 (CM(WF)/HH/JH96)
  • also available in Yarra Valley Wine Show 6pk $265 ($44.17/bt)

$24.84 @ Dan Murphy's after 5% Cashrewards (drops back to 3.5% at 11.55pm AEDT tonight) & 5% off WISH

 

[Sedimental]

Oh dear! Have just found this thread. This could be dangerous. Oakridge Hazeldene Chardy on it's way.

 

[qaz]

Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard 2014 $26.54 @ Dan Murphy's (JH97, CS96, MB/JO95, HH94) after 3.5% Cashrewards & 5% off WISH

 

[qaz]

current favourite Stonier Reserve 2013

$27.30 @ Wine Direct ($25 referral credit) in dozens with free delivery using CHOOSEWINE
(JO/CM(WF)95, JH94, HH92)

 

[qaz]

• Stella Bella Serie Luminosa 2013 $46.50 @ Winery Lane with $75 voucher (HH/JH96, GW95)

• Amelia Park Reserve 2016 $38.50-$44.95

Stella Bella 2016 $20.42 @ Winery Lane using discount code CHRISTMAS100 for $100 off $300+ orders (JH95, GW94, HH92)

Sign up via winerylane.com.au/mchh for a gift card of $75 off 12 bottles - also note that they have Christmas gift packs that include a $75 gift card and free delivery, which like the rest of their wines, are 20% off in any dozen order

 

[qaz]

For fans of Mornington Peninsula, such as Dexter and Stonier Reserve, consider

• Garagiste Merricks 2016 $36.47 @ Winebubble using 15OFFNOW (referrals, CM(WF)/JH96)

Elsewhere:

• McWilliam’s Single Vineyard Tumbarumba 2013 $15 (JH94)

• Barwang 842 Tumbarumba 2012 $22.88 @ Dan Murphy's (HH/JH94)

• Hoddles Creek 2016 $19.99 @ WineStar (JH95, GW93+, TP92, HH90)

(buy a dozen to receive a bonus bottle of Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley 2011)​

2016 chardonnay shines
Why Margaret River's chardonnays are way ahead

Gourmet Traveller Wine - Victorian Chardonnay Tasting $55
6-8pm Wednesday 21st February @ Tea Room - Melbourne

 

[TheRealTMA]

Friday night Chardonnay with Julie!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Friend Julie brought this to follow! Very good.

 

[Sedimental]

Anyone tried the 2016 Scotchman's Hill?
Buy Wine, Beers & Spirits Online | Online liquor store - Kemenys Australia
Suspicious of the 97JH rating, but curious non the less.

 

[rogerkambah]

Friend Julie brought this to follow! Very good.

View attachment 117475

Had to go to dans for a bottle of the Forester Estate. I like it. Thanks for posting.

 

[qaz]

• 2015 Xanadu $25 @ Langton's (TS/HH/TP/JH95 RJ93 GW92 JR90, referral/vouchers)

• 2014 Jones Road Nepean $29.99 @ My Wine Guy with JONESROAD14 (CM(WC)96, referral)

Compared with their pinot noir, I haven't tried much of their chardonnay, but given that this has received rave reviews, that might have to change: Dog Point 2015 $34.99 @ My Wine Guy ($30 voucher)

• 2-for-$50 @ Boccaccio
• $29.99 @ Vintage Cellars (or 2pk $28.32/bt using $10 off $60+ spend catalogue voucher at Surrey Hills VIC)
• $32.90 @ Vinomofo (was $34.90, referral) - be sure to price match with above

• Toolangi Vineyards Pauls Lane 2012 $32 (JH97, HH92)

• Toolangi Pauls Lane 2013 $22.50 @ Prince Wine Store (JH96 SL95 CM(WF)92+)

Gourmet Traveller Wine - Victorian Chardonnay Tasting $55

Victorian Chardonnay 6pk $233 ($38.83/bt) @ Randall's

• 1x Seville Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2015
• 1x Journey Wines Chardonnay 2015
• 2x Burton McMahon George's Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
• 2x Willow Creek Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

 

[qaz]

Cellardoor.co (possible $25 credit):

• Seppelt Jaluka 2016 $15.50 (JH94, MB93)

$15 @ Vinomofo (referral)

 

[qaz]

• Stonier Lyncroft 2013 $30 @ Cellar One (CM(WF)95, HH94 JO92; $25 referral credit)

With $55 off for new members until midnight tonight:

• Bay of Fires 2016 $17.17
• Brookland Valley Estate 2016 $16.80
• Brookland Valley Reserve 2015 $25.83
• Eileen Hardy 2015 $60
• Stonier Reserve 2014 $20.67
• Stonier Lyncroft 2013 $20.83
• Stonier Thompson 2013 $20.83

 

[qaz]

Cellardoor.co (possible $25 credit):

• Coldstream Hills Reserve 2015 $42 (JH97, CM(WF)95)
• Coldstream Hills Mixed Selection 6pk $185 ($30.83/bt)
  • 2016 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
  • 2014 Coldstream Hills Rising Vineyard Chardonnay
  • 2015 Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay
  • 2016 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
  • 2015 Coldstream Hills The Esplanade Pinot Noir
  • 2014 Coldstream Hills Reserve Shiraz

Until today:

• Coldstream Hills Reserve 2016 $45.50
• Coldstream Hills Rising Vineyard 2016 $31

Also Very Very Good Victorian Chardonnay Mixed Six Pack - Mixed Packs | Different Drop - Explore Wine $275 ($45.83/bt) (extra 10% off for new customers):

• 2017 Luke Lambert Chardonnay
• 2016 Joshua Cooper The Old Port Righ Vineyard Chardonnay
• 2016 Latta Jurassique Blanc Ullaged Chardonnay
• 2016 Sorrenberg Chardonnay
• 2015 Eldridge Estate Chardonnay
• 2016 Garagiste Merricks Chardonnay

 

[qaz]

Oakridge Willowlake 2016 (JH97, CM(WF)/HH95) $27.99 @ Wine Sellers Direct ($29.90 @ Vinomofo)

Riorret Lusatia Park 2017 (HH95, CM(WF)93+) $25.91 @ Cracka Wines after 8.5% Cashrewards and $50 voucher (pm me for code)

Giant Steps Single Vineyards 2017 3pk $140 ($46.67/bt) @ Different Drop
(alternatively also included in Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Collection 6pk $270 delivered ($45/bt) @ My Wine Guy)

Leeuwin Estate Art Series 2015 $76 @ Smash Vino with SMASHINGBOTTLES for 20% off

Adrian Rodda's new 2017 releases available now (PWS Melbourne tasting - Saturday 26th May)

 

[Jack Hyatt]

I just got the Paringa Penninsula Pinot and Leeuwin Cabernet from Smash Vino, 25% using code smashsociety. Not sure how long it last but good pricing and wines were here quick.

 

[qaz]

Oakridge Willowlake 2016 (JH97, CM(WF)/HH95) $27.99 @ Wine Sellers Direct ($29.90 @ Vinomofo)

$22.99 (+$.95 delivery) @ My Wine Guy after price-matching and using $30 voucher

Shaw + Smith M3 2015 $31.43 @ Winebubble using 25black today only

2-for-$64 @ Boccaccio


Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard 2012 (JH96, JO/CM(WF)95, JP/RJ94, HH93) $43.11 @ eBay - Dan Murphy's after 1% Cashrewards and using PTAOZB for 11% off (ends 11pm AEST tonight)

Port Phillip Estate Red Hill 2016 (GW94, JO90) $24.52 delivered @ eBay - Grays Online using PAMPER20 for 20% off

Jean-François Ganevat Back Vintages @ Blackhearts & Sparrows

Eden Road Courabyra 2015 (JF95, GW93+, TP91) $19.98 @ JD Cellars (was apparently $16.99 @ WineStar)

Cellardoor.co after $25 welcome credit:

• Coldstream Hills 2017 (CM(WF)93) $16.83
• Coldstream Hills Mixed Selection 6pk $160 ($26.67/bt)
  • 2017 Coldstream Hills Chardonnay
  • 2016 Coldstream Hills Rising Vineyard Chardonnay
  • 2016 Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay
  • 2017 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
  • 2015 Coldstream Hills The Esplanade Pinot Noir
  • 2015 Coldstream Hills Reserve Shiraz

Dave Bro vs Flammo 3pk $94 ($31.33/bt) @ Different Drop with $25 discount (pm me for code)

• 2017 Arfion
• 2016 Salo
• 2017 Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard

Giaconda:

• 2016 $129 @ University House
• 2017 $115 @ Armadale Cellars (delivery May 2019)

Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay shines bright
Margaret River's superior Chardonnays

 

[qaz]

Dappled's Halliday Wine Companion best new winery with their 94-97pt 2015 Appellation Chardonnay and Prince Wine Store has the 94pt 2016 for $24

Due to the Young Gun of Wine, PWS has the 2017 for $29 (Barrique tasting notes), as well as
2016 Sailor Seeks Horse at $49 (CM(WF)95, MB94+)