Savaterre 2016 Chardonnay
The 2016 Savaterre wines are an absolute delight.
I’m incredibly proud of how far we have evolved over the last 21 years and of all the reviews and accolades our wines have received both here and overseas. Never content, we strive to improve and evolve.
As well as improving the micro-organisms and organic matter in our soil, I have spent many years pushing winemaking boundaries and exploring all possibilities via multiple long-term experiments (some of which were a complete disaster and resulted in wine down the drain!)
After 20 years of experimentation and research in tandem with colleagues in Burgundy, the Rhone and Italy I feel we are very close to where I dreamed we would be all those years ago.
The 2016 Savaterre Chardonnay has once again been selected to be served in the Emirates Airlines First Class Cabin. This is a great accolade especially when you see the selection panel literally tasting thousands of the world’s best wines to see which wines will be served in First Class.
"I know this is going to sound a bit trite, but when I first approached this wine while tasting I wrote, ‘oh, Giaconda-esque!’ – it was tasted blind. Savaterre has consistency with chardonnay, and this release is up there with the better releases, albeit it is a fuller-feeling oak complement here, for those inclined. It has this quiet power to it. A slick, lightly creamy roll that slips over palate with concentration yet freshness, licks of wood spice and nougat, a core of lemon-squeezed-on-green-apple acidity. It’s quite lovely in its flourish of fruit and winemaking. The bouquet steps up too, more green apple and citrus, whiffs of nougat again, a sense of struck flint or warm stones. Lots to like here. Lots.
Rated : 94 Points"
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front
My Tasting Notes
Complex, powerful, sophisticated and precision are the initial impressions.
Intense aromas of toasted hazelnuts, white nectarine, citrus flower, exotic spice and subtle gunpowder flint and oyster shell with a powerful minerality swirl in the glass. This is a wine that continues to evolve and unveil in the glass.
On the palate it has real intensity. Instantly you feel its power. The structure of this wine is just where I want it. It’s sleek but not austere. It's vibrant, juicy and vivacious yet reserved. Brilliant acidity, diamond-bright with great presence and persistence.
Powerful, balanced nuances of grapefruit, pear, citrus, nectarine, white peach, praline, exotic spice and grilled nuts. A powerhouse of delicious intense minerally fruit with a crisp spine of acidity and tremendous length.
Perfectly ripe. A highly detailed wine of great character. Grand Cru quality in my opinion.