Sassafras Savagnin Chardonnay Ancestral Sparkling 2019

Balcony booze. A great aperitif to kick back with on a lazy afternoon - when you have nothing left to do during isolation.

Andevine Reserve Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2018

Tumbarumba is a region to watch producing some clever Chardonnays.

Coppabella of Tumbarumba Sirius Chardonnay 2017

Siriusly (pun intended) good Chardonnay. I couldn't stop at one glass post-tasting. From the foothills of the Snowy Mountains comes this Single Vineyard Chardonnay perched in one of the coldest viticultural sites in Australia. The fruit for this wine used to be sold off to Penfolds for Yattarna but now all the Block 20 fruit goes exclusively to this label.

Even Keel Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2017

Such an inviting Chardonnay from the Tumbarumba region.

Coppabella of Tumbarumba The Crest Chardonnay 2017

From the foothills of the Snowy Mountains comes this Single Vineyard Chardonnay perched in one of the coldest viticultural sites in Australia.

Even Keel Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2017

Easy drinking Chardy without the bells and whistles. A pleaser rather than a stunner but enjoyable all the same.

Yellowglen Perle Vintage Rosé 2008

Strawberries & cream all the way here. Stylish and hard to beat for the money - a quick search shows it can be found for under $20 - a bargain deluxe. All the hard work has been done for you too - six years of bottle age has produced a fizz ready to be enjoyed now.

A blend of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (60/27/13), there's a dash of sweetness, and although not overly dry, there's good weight and great length. Delicious berry and nougat characters stroll through with ease. Very moreish.

Very good+

Region: Henty, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills
RRP: $25
Source: Sample

www.yellowglen.com

Follow me: Twitter Qwine Instagram _Qwine

Seppelt Salinger NV

A reliable fizz year after year. Non vintage, a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier (60/37/3) coming from four regions though predominantly Adelaide Hills and Tumbarumba.

Smells a little lemon rindy and toasty sour dough like. Creamy through the mid plate and exits with a citrusy zip. Nice palate weight too.

Consistency at a good price and readily available.

Very good.

Region: Adelaide Hill, Tumbarumba, Henty, Yarra Valley
RRP: $25
Source: Sample

www.seppelt.com.au

Follow me: Twitter Qwine Instagram _Qwine

Friday Drinks Radio 4BC 2 May

A quick chat about oxidisation before sharing two excellent wines from the new McWilliam's Appellation Series. The Appellation Series sets out to highlight the various wine regions within NSW.

Listen in here.

My bargains this week:

McWilliam’s Appellation Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2013 $24
 Attractive nuttiness and florals. Throw in some fleshy peach and a dash of creaminess and that about sums it up. Captivating stuff. Delicious and then some. Keep an eye out for it.

McWilliam’s Appellation Canberra Syrah 2013 $24
Cool climate Syrah at its best. Smell the violets! Engaging aromas of cherries and white pepper and nicely integrated spice. Silky smooth. A delight to drink full stop.

McWilliam's Appellation Series Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2013

The Appellation Series of wines released by McWilliams sets out to highlight various wine regions within NSW.

I'm so pleased I started my journey through the range with this Chardonnay. What a belter! To those who believe Chardonnay is nothing but heavily oaked, think again.

I felt my nose was dragged into the glass. Attractive nuttiness and florals. Throw in some fleshy peach and a dash of creaminess and that about sums it up. Captivating stuff.

The fruit is the hero here and it's hard not to top up the glass again and again.

Delicious and then some. Keep an eye out for it.

Who: McWilliams 

What: Chardonnay (12.5% alc)

Where: Tumbarumba

When: 2013

How much: $24

www.mcwilliams.com.au

Follow me @Qwine

Cooks Lot Pinot Noir 2012

Cooks Lot wines represent pretty good value. There is nothing flashy about this drop but it is more than suitable for the price point.

The wine started to show its true colours on day two, keep in mind though it is a 2012.The sample tasted had only been in the bottle a couple of months. 

Made with the use of new French oak, it is a savory type. Orange rind, sour cherry and a good dash of cedery oak on the nose.

Gentle savory spice and nice red berry flavours dance around in the mouth. A juicy type acid evident too. A jab of pepper rounds off the finish which lingers.

Decant and give it a good swirl. Even better, let it sit for a year or two and then jump in.

Who: Cooks Lot Wines www.CooksLot.com.au
What: Pinot Noir (12.9% alc)
Where: Orange & Tumbarumba
When: 2011
How: $20

Follow them: www.twitter.com/CooksLotWines
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine

Under & Over Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2011

I wasn't sure of what may lay ahead of me looking at the label. Not much wow factor nor does it stand out against other labels. But for a sub $15 wine, I was left quite pleased with the contents.

The appearance is pale and stone fruit aromas dominate. This wine was made with the intention for the fruit to be fresh, and it is exactly that. Refreshing and ticks all the right boxes. So many Chardonnays in this price bracket are dominated by chunky or heavy oak. This wine, not so much. A splinter of oak adds to the character but by no means is it a chunk of 2x4 whacking you over the head.

Stonefruit flavours linger beautifully and entice the next sip ever so easily. Above average length too.

A wine made under the McWilliams umbrella, and made well. I even tested it with a non Chardonnay fan and they not only liked it but were surprised when I said it was a Chardonnay.

Who: Arm Chair Critic http://echelonwine.com.au/wine/armchair_critic
What: Chardonnay (13% alc)

Where: Tumbarumba

When: 2011

How: $15

Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine

Barwang Pinot Gris 2011

I was already thinking about summer time when I looked at this. The fruit is drawn from three cool climate regions: Tumbarumba, Tasmania and Adelaide Hills.

Light and pale straw in colour, you get a good whiff of fresh cut apple, green apple peel, pear, and a touch of vanilla.

Clean and fresh flavours of apple and pear highlight the palate. A good dash of minerality too which kicks along the interest factor. Having been left on lees of four months, the texture punches through nicely.

Good length on the finish, and for the money, it's a pretty decent drop.

It's vibrant. It's very refreshing. It's worth a look.

Who: Barwang www.mcwilliams.com.au/our-brands/barwang
What: Pinot Gris (13.5% alc)
Where: Tumbarumba, Tasmania & Adelaide Hills
When: 2011
How: $18

Follow them: www.twitter.com/McWilliamsAU
Follow me: www.twitter.com/Qwine