Jacobs Creek Reeves Point Chardonnay 2004 (Multi Region Blend)
Screwcap, $30 (approx)

The relevance of Reeves Point? Its apparently where (Orlando founder) Johann Gramp first landed in Australia. This has won a gold medal at the Sydney International Wine Show this year.

A golden, but slightly less bright colour. The nose is classic, old school Chardonnay with some age on it – butterscotch, caramel oak, mealy fragrant yeastiness and some burnt timber. Not for the ABC types! The palate though is surprisingly subdued, with its caramel vanilla oak a dominant feature, overlaying peach fruit & finishing with some resinous oak tannins. It might be served better chilled, but the back end feels harsh and oak driven.

I can’t see the gold medal quality on this (It has two for the record) for it represents a rather unattractive (and dated) Chardy style, with its best days long gone. 14