If you are a Chardonnay lover and within reach of the Granite Belt, dial-up Ridgemill Estate on your GPS. Winemaker Peter McGlashan can easily lay claim to be the region's Chardonnay boss, and this 2017 release is no different. Delicious and impressive were the first couple of words that came to mind upon tasting.
On the back of previous trophies and medals, this 2017 took top gold recently at the Qld Wine Awards. It's labeled WYP when it's pretty damn good because you'll Wet Your Pants with excitement. He's right too. I lined this up with Chardonnays from Margaret River, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, many of which were double its price and it comfortably held its own.
It's curious to know that despite producing an excellent wine, McGlashan's methods are 'anti Chardonnay' as he says. The fruit is crushed and fermented not typically whole bunch pressed. Yet the results speak for themselves, mind you, I did nudge him and asked if he considered the lofty heights which may be achieved if whole bunch pressing was used...
French oak was used for six months - a combination of new and old.
Grapefruit, fleshy white stone fruit, slivers of almonds and touches of lemon juice all fold over one another delivering a wine of complexity and persistence. The purity of the fruit sizzles and stands up a treat. Tasted at the cellar door, I asked for a repour and then ordered some for the drive home. A freakin good drink and then some let alone being a super buy. The official release is set for November 2018.
Drink now to eight years.
95/100
Region: Granite Belt
RRP: $35
Source: Cellar Door Tasting
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