Chardonnay `Aged Reserve` Geoff Merrill 2019
Country
Australia
Region
McLaren Vale/Coonawarra
Producer
Geoff Merrill Wines
Grape(s)
Chardonnay (100%)
Type
White
Style
Rich
Oaked Style
Oaked
Body Style
Full bodied
Dry/Sweet Style
Dry
Alcohol Content
13.5%
Closure Style
Screw cap
Organic/Biodynamic
No
Sustainable
No
Vegetarian/Vegan
Vegetarian
No
Vegan
No
Allergens
Sulphites
Yes
Milk
No
Egg
No
Region
McLaren Vale - located just 30 minutes drive south east of Adelaide and parallel to the coast, these rolling hillside vineyards produce some of Australia`s finest Shiraz and Grenache based red wines. Some of the areas historic old wineries were established in the late 1800s and many remain today. With a strong regional identity on the international stage, many of Australia`s most famous and expensive wines have their vineyard origins within this region. Coonawarra - the southern most and coolest of South Australia`s vineyards, benefitting from the cooling influences of the Southern Ocean. The soil comprises of a thin strip of iron rich red soil, or `terra rosa`, that imparts a special regional minerality to the wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.
Producer
Geoff Merrill was born in 1953 and was raised on a sheep station in the far north of South Australia until he was 11 years old. The Merrill family then moved to the Barossa Valley, just north of Adelaide, where Geoff`s first links with the wine industry were formed. Following his `apprenticeship` at Chateau Reynella, in 1985 he purchased the historic Mount Hurtle winery. Reknowned for his handle-bar moustache and friendship with many of crickets elite, his talents were rewarded in 2005 when he received the legendary Jimmy Watson Trophy, probably Australia`s most prestigious wine award, named after the iconic Jimmy Watson`s Wine Bar in Melbourne.
Tasting Notes
This wine is made from a rigorous selection of the best barrels and is a blend of Chardonnay fruit from the Coonawarra, Padthaway and McLaren Vale vineyard regions of South Australia. The wine displays a honey and melon bouquet, integrated with subtle oak aromas and a rich palate. Fantastic weight and complexity, bursting with pineapple and peach fruit flavours, with notes of cream and toast from its maturation in new French casks. The palate is well integrated with the opulent fruit flavours balanced by a refreshing acidity and followed by a youthful finish.
Food
The perfect partner to chicken or fish dishes with a creamy sauce.
