Fire Gully Chardonnay 2008 (Margaret River, WA)
14.5%, Screwcap, $29
Source: Sample
www.firegully.com.au

I’m really just adding my voice to the throng here, as both Jeremy Pringle (here) and Chris Plummer (here) have well covered this wine. I’m just going to reiterate how much I like the Pierro Chardonnay, which makes the slightly ordinary form of this second label all that more dissapointing.

Straw yellow in colour, it looks immediately riper and darker than the Molly Morgan. Smells it too, with a lightly volatile, peach and grapefruit nose that smells of ripe Margaret River fruit, of ripe year Margaret River Chardonnay fruit. It’s a light and perfectly correct nose, with a subtle undertone of oak. All ok there. The wobbles come through on the palate, which is quite bold and warm, the acid rough, the alcohol picking up through the tail. It feels awkward and chewy, with the fine grapefruit flavours derailed by the warmth and thickness towards the back.

It’s a wine with lots of flavour, no finesse. Average value at $30 too. 15.8/86