It's not every day a thirteen-year-old Chardonnay sample lands on the doorstep but lucky me when this Carlei Estate arrived. I have yet to see these wines, and this 2012 was a great introduction to the range.
Sourced from the Yarra Valley, it saw French oak (50% new) for 14 months with partial malolactic fermentation and the occasion batonage.
Scents of preserved lemons, dried lily flowers, grilled peaches, yellow stonefruit and popcorn kick things off. Wafer biscuits, creme brulee and roasted cashews add layers of interest bolstering the flavour profile with some honeyed tones coming late. The acid still has some life delivering a lemon sorbet tang that just sticks and holds. The depth has been laid on thick but that's the bottle age doing its thing. A mightily impressive wine that has been built very well, I'd be more than happy to recommend this and share a couple of glasses.
Drink to five years+
93/100
Region: Yarra Valley
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