Vinden Estate Verdelho 2011

Vinden Estate Verdelho Lots of v’s

Vinden Estate Verdelho 2011 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
13.5%, Screwcap, $21
Source: Sample
www.vindenestate.com.au

When is the Verdelho revolution going to take place? I’d really like to see more interesting takes on this beleaguered grape, though I’d probably also have to go back to the early 90’s for people to take me seriously (I wrote an article about old Verdelho a few years ago actually. Read it here).

This wine probably isn’t going to change anyone’s opinion either. It’s a simple Verdelho that looks awfully disjointed at present. It smells pretty good, with a bright fruity, slightly sweaty nose of pineapple and melon, edged with banana post ferment esters. There’s some lovely fruit on the palate too, with again some juicy melon flavours. But the acidity is completely wrong, with a harshness to it that looks anything but natural. I’m guessing that this was acid adjusted just before bottling and it just hasn’t integrated as yet, making for an overly tart wine that just doesn’t do the fruit justice.

I’m including the plus sign as that acidity could well settle, but for the moment it’s derailing all the good work of the rest of the wine. 15/85+