Overview
Oak-fermented Chardonnay is a ‘winemaker’s wine’, as it is where all sorts of production choices can be made: age of barrels? Time therein? Cooper? Toast level? Solids? Lees stirring? Malo? And on we go... the result is that sometimes these wines reflect an ego rather than a vineyard. And more is not necessarily better!
- Region:
- SA - Other South Australian
- State:
- South Australia
- Country:
- Australia
Expert Reviews
"Bright, showing green-yellow colour is a portent of things to come; this is Padthaway Chardonnay at its best, with elegant grapefruit and nectarine aromas and flavours, the oak integrated and balanced. "Rating 95 - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2011
"Because much of the fruit from this region gets syphoned into multi-regional blends by mega wine brands, its largely forgotten that Padthaway is one of the countrys big chardonnay production districts (think Orlando St Hilary and Lindemans Reserve). Browns of Padthaway pull focus on the best of this region with its own reserve wine (named after one of the familys pioneering women) deliberately built in a modern style under contract by OLeary Walker winemakers. Fleshy and broader than chardonnay from the cooler Adelaide Hills region, it still has more citrus flavours than stonefruit, underlined by a fresh grapefruit zing at the core of the palate and a sumptuous soft talc finish." David Sly, SA Life (JUN/2011)
"The wine is classy with melon and citrus fruit backed by oak that contributes to flavour and complexity without impacting on the lean and clean (sounds like a Greens slogan) palate." Mike Burnett, Launceston Examiner (FEB/2010)
"A newcomer to the portfolio which honours the late Melba Lillian Wirth, the mother of Glenda Brown and whose family were among the early South Australian pioneers. Complex and nicely crafted with pristine stone-fruit and melon flavours, nutty characters, just a hint of oak and a creamy finish."Kerry SKinner, Illawarra Mercury (JAN/2010)
Winery Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine is therefore somewhat more fruit-focused than some of its style, and relatively pale in colour.
Aroma
While it has evident – but subtle – oak, it also shows the aromas of honeydew melon and nectarine, which our vineyard gives us. The nose is still very youthful, and relatively fruitforward, with the oak influence definitely in the background.
Palate
The early palate is lean and tight; it gathers pace mid-palate, where it shows some richness, but without broadness. For a wine of this style, it
has a definite emphasis on the products of the vineyard rather than the winery. The oak returns fleetingly on the finish, to ensure length and
add a touch of spice.
Food Matching
Enjoy with veal or chicken in a light mustard sauce; a good light (not gluggy!) quiche Lorraine; or a good piece of grilled salmon.
