- Hunter Valley, NSW - $26
- Screwcap
- 14.0%alc
From a very traditional Australian chardonnay region winemaker James Lusby has fashioned this one year old wine with a justifiably modern yet rather minimalist approach (minimal skin contact, no lees stirring, no malolactic fermentation, no oak maturation and barrel fermentation in mostly older oak).
Surprisingly, the 2009 Pebbles Brief openly proclaims its barrel fermentation, with a deliciously clear whiff of nutty nougat underscored by more restrained notes of creamy honeydew melon, guava and spirit. Clean and inviting if a bit simple, its precisely judged palate displays a good depth of bright, juicy fruit wrapped up by quirkier cheesy/vanilla/yeasty notes, with refreshingly soft acids woven throughout its enduring tones of melon and grapefruit. Much to their credit Tintilla's managed to cram masses of flavour and character into this carefully made, low intervention chardonnay.
ü+ Without doubt the team at Tintilla Estate produce this chardonnay with a clear stylistic directive and in 2009; mission achieved. It's a standout example of barely oaked Hunter chardonnay; a true crossover wine and a happy surprise to all those who discover it. Drink to 2015.
92 points
Hi Chris this chards sounds nice, do you know where I could find some?
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I've never actually seen this wine at an Adelaide retail outlet, so I can't really answer your question.
ReplyDeleteYour best bet would be to either check the website, check the cellar door (probably irrelevant if you don't live in or very near Sydney) or check out a marketing group called Winestream who handle the marketing duties for Tintilla.
All the same it's a very fine barely oaked chardonnay (one of the best Aussie examples I've had actually, especially from the Hunter) and well worth sourcing pout while the weather's still nice and warmish.
Cheers,
Chris P