Shelmerdine (Australia) Chardonnay 2004
Shelmerdine is a relatively new Australian name, though the family behind it were the founders of the Mitchelton Estate in Victoria. Owner Stephen Shelmerdine is the ex-director of Mitchelton and the Petaluma group, who is now concentrating on his family vineyards in the Yarra Valley and Heathcote. Planted in 1985, the Chardonnay for this wine comes from the Lusatia Park vineyard and has a hugely pungent, vividly aromatic nose, with masses of honey and hazelnut, very ripe green fig and a touch of mint, with all sorts of exotic incense, sandalwood and fruity notes. Quite a blockbuster. The palate has plenty of toasty sesame seed and nutty oak too, but theres a fine core of lemony, and quite steely acidity, that keeps this fresh. There’s also a fine quality of fruit, all adding up to a flamboyant, personality-packed wine that is drinking very nicely. 9.99, Oddbins
