More quality Chardonnay – Willow Bridge G1-10 Chardonnay 2012

Willow Bridge G1-10 Chardonnay 2012 (Geographe, WA)
12.7%, Screwcap. $30

Another day, another high quality Chardonnay. I’ll be the first to put my hand up and admit that Chardonnay (along with Riesling) is the most drunk white wine in the Graham household, hence why it gets plenty of attention.

This Chardonnay serves as the latest instalment in Simon Burnell’s Willow Bridge quality evolution, again showing that Geographe is a pretty handy place to grow grapes, and particularly Chardonnay (though Geographe’s hero variety is still up for debate. Simon, thoughts?).

Anyway, this is hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and wild yeast fermented, maturing for 10 months in oak 1/4 new.

The appeal here is the complexity – there is a big dollop of mealy sulphide funk over that crisp and taut palate, making for a rather satisfying, full-but-lean style that brings you back for a second glass. It’s perhaps a fraction worked in one breath, but the big long finish of Creme caramel richness seems to make it worthwhile and the acidity is sparkling and taut. Much push-pull in other words, which isn’t going to be for everyone.

Regardless, a big like for me.

Source: Sample
Tasted: May 2014
Drink: 2014-2017
Score: 18/20, 93/100
Would I buy it? I could finish most of a bottle of this. A smashable wine for mine.

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Andrew Graham Avatar

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

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One response to “More quality Chardonnay – Willow Bridge G1-10 Chardonnay 2012”

  1. Simon Burnell Avatar
    Simon Burnell

    Hi A.G,
    Glad you enjoyed this one.
    As for a hero variety in Geographe – it's a big and diverse region, so it's too hard to say. Around our neighbourhood in the Ferguson Valley (really the hills above it), we probably hang our hats on Shiraz and Chardonnay, but so many varieties work well here. Donnybrook is definite Shiraz country and there doesn't seem to be a clear winner on the coastal plain. A Tempranillo won wine of the show at our local last year – possibly a first in Aus?

    Reply

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