Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2010 (Margaret River, WA)
13%, Screwcap, $45
If this isn’t the best Margaret River Chardonnay, on a dollar vs enjoyment basis, then I’ll eat my cycling cap.
The key here is the precision of the approach – carefully balanced oak, MLF and yeast characters over a pure palate that is just perfectly ripe. Attention to detail at every turn. Oh and did I mention the price? In a world where Cloudburst are releasing Margaret River Chardonnay at $200/bottle (from 8 year old vines) the $45 price looks almost too cheap.
It certainly doesn’t smell cheap though, the background oak high quality. Interestingly, this looks almost Semillon like at first, with a hit of hay on the nose with a little breadfruit and grapefruit. Very un Chardy like even, at least until the white peach spreads out. The palate though is particularly long and well balanced, the contrast between faintly mealy solids and spicy grapefruit fruit working very well, the finish softly gummy and chalky.Perhaps the only criticism here is that it is a little angular to finish, that nose not quite classical and inviting just yet. The overall package, however, is excellent and will only get better with an extra year in the bottle.
Mighty impressive wine (as usual).
Source: Sample
Tasted: April 2014
Drink: 2014-2017
Score: 18.5/20, 94/100
Would I buy it? Absolutely.
Buy online: Voyager Estate website
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