2009 RK Beechworth Chardonnay

Another in the Vintage Cellars line of 'Gun Winemakers do Chardy'.  This one the '09 RK Beechworth Chardonnay (Beechworth, VIC - $40) from Rick Kinzbrunner of Giaconda renown.  I was looking forward to this, my church mouse winemaker's salary making Giaconda purchases something of a rarity, what with children to feed etc..

The nose has that intense struck match, gunpowder flavoured yoghurt smeared over spiced, grilled pineapples character that you so often get in good white burgundy.  The palate is very full, but beautifully structured with acid cutting through from the start and reappearing to tidily wrap up the finish.  The flavours are almost inconsequential so much time is spent enjoying the structure but there is juicy citrus squeezed stone fruits in there.  The finish is long and fine with only a slight reduction in the intensity stopping this from being a truly great wine.

If this is an average day for Mr K then the asking price of Giaconda is looking to be very good value indeed.  Sorry kids.

2009 Ballewindi Chardonnay

I recently ordered in a mixed dozen from Vintage Cellars - which was a first - good discount, reasonably timely delivery and they send to PO boxes which is borderline essential.  The inspiration was an article on Chardonnay on the wonderful Drinkster blog of Philip White.  I was intrigued by the chance to get Kinzbrunner-created chardonnay at terrestial prices and also see what famous winemakers do in their spare time for corporate retail giants.

I'm pleased to say the '09 Ballewindi Chardonnay (Mornington Peninsula, VIC - $28) by Sandro Mosele was a very smart introduction to the range.  The nose was set up with ripe fruit in the peachy scale but with some slatey character there too.  The palate was very well put together, tight and just slightly unctuous but with a classically grown-up mealy dry finish.  Roll on Rick.

(Anything But) Chardonnay

It is the weekend of the Saint Vincent Tournante here.  Every year a village hosts the event and lots of people turn up, drink wine and have a nice time.  It's one of the bigger events here and this year it was hosted by Macon.  Not a village at all, more of a city but it's the first time it's been hosted outside the Cote d'Or and so it is centred on Macon with supporting roles from the villages Pierreclos and Chardonnay.  Yes, the village the grape is named after.

Not a very original photo perhaps but as a wine 'amateur' it's kind of cool to visit a place that gave its name to one of the most ubiquitous grape varieties in the world.  It's a pretty little village by the way, in rolling hills that are only about a third covered in vineyards, which is quite low around here.  Anyway, the tastings were limited to 11 special cuvees prepared by the committee to demonstrate the Maconnais terroir.  My favourites were the '07 Macon Villages white which had a lovely semi-tropical fruit nose and excellent palate weight, nice ripe fruit and a minerality that carried through the whole affair.  The other good white was the '07 Macon Verze, from the village Verze, quite ripe nose but a lovely tight palate despite the evident malo impact.

The reds were nice and fresh, Gamay is the grape of choice around here (around 80%) but there is approximately 8% Pinot so you never know your luck.  The favourite reds were the '06 Macon Aze which was light, red fruity and tight as a whip.  The '07 Macon Mancey was a cracker though, really quite a fine almost Pinot like nose of red fruits and subtle complexing pepper and mineral.  Palate was fairly acidic but crunchy red fruits, a little speculoos biscuit and quite a long cherry skin finish.

All in all a lovely day with the usual side shows of music, tractors, blacksmiths and food.  The most entertaining of which was the spot where you could try your hand at miniature dry stone construction, I was very proud of the bridge below entirely constructed by me (with a little help from my 4 year old daughter).