Tower Estate Coombe Rise Chardonnay 2012 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
13%, Screwcap, $38
Personally I prefer Tower Estate’s cheaper Hillside Vineyard Chardonnay this vintage, largely as the oak seems more integrated and the acid a little softer. It’s the small things that count…
70% of this was barrel fermented, the other 30% in tank.
Punctuated by grainy oak and white peach fruit, that creamy oak seems to sit over the very dry acidity, everything finishing hard and raw.
With a little more time this will integrate more – and the flavour penetration is great – but not much love at present.
Source: Sample
Tasted: July 2014
Drink: 2015-2019
Score:16.5/20, 88/100+
Would I buy it? Not at the moment.
Buy online: Tower Estate website
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