Bay of Fires Chardonnay 2012

Bay of Fires Chardonnay 2012 (Tasmania)
13%, Screwcap, $42

The more I think about it, the more I’d like to make wine in Tasmania. Sure, Tasvegas is probably a bit too cold for this Sydneysider, but I love wines like this so much that I’d still consider the pull of the apple isle. What about you? Where would you make wine (in Australia)?

What makes this Bay of Fires Chardonnay convincing is the balance – initially a little oaky, with a barrel ferment character greeting you on first sniff. Underneath it is a nutty, acid-meets-rich-fruit style that just works, the green apple and grapefruit acid snap combining very nicely with white peach and whipped butter palate weight, finishing long and really clean.

Once I got past the oaky nose I had to stop myself from drinking this, which gets it an instant gold medal score in my books…

Source: Sample
Tasted: February 2014
www.bayoffireswines.com.au
Score: 18.5/20, 94/100
Would I buy it? This is the sort of wine that makes you grin when you walk into a large gastro-pub and spot it on the menu. In other words, yes I’d buy it at said gastro-pub
Buy online: Bay of Fires website, Dan Murphys, Kemenys, Wine Searcher