Savaterre 2018 'Frère Cadet' Chardonnay
When rare parcels of particularly outstanding Beechworth grapes become available, our winemaker Keppell Smith likes to create something unique and bottle it under Savaterre's 'Frere Cadet' (Younger Brother) label.
The Frere Cadet range of wines evolved to be more accessible in their youth. These wines are created with the same attention to detail that goes into our premium Savaterre label but are more giving when young. All grapes are handpicked and fermented by indigenous yeasts.
There is minimal interference. Nature takes its course. The wine is matured for 18 months in the best French oak before maturing in bottle prior to release.
I want you to enjoy this wine on occasions when Grand Cru would not be appropriate.
My Tasting Notes
2018 vintage has produced some powerful, elegant and profound wines.
Fresh and vibrant floral aromas of citrus and elderflower intially seduce. Then toasted almonds, hazelnuts, praline and mineral / flinty aromas follow. Honey, stonefruitand a hint of preserved lemon and curry leaf are also present.
The palate reflects these aromas. However, it's the the depth and complexity of flavour that combines with mouth filling texture and expansive length that contributes this to being an outstanding young wine. Exotic flavours meld with a lively background of fine acid that finishes with a slight phenolic finish.
This is perfect summer drinking and will continue to evolve and improve for at least 15 years.
Ned Goodwin of Halliday's Wine Companion on our 2017 Release
“This is winemaker Keppell Smith's negotiant bottling, hewn from purchased grapes with an artisanal approach akin to that to his flagship cuvee: a spontaneous ferment of hand-picked grapes embellished with high quality French oak (18 months). The result is creamy and mouth filling; mid-weighted and as reliant on ripe stone fruit allusions as it is on a leesy detail, mineral and pungent; and subalpine acidity and fresh; for pulse, pull and sappt length...Rated: 94 Points"
Gary Walsh of The Wine Front TWF on our 2017 Release
“It’s the little brother to the more expensive Chardonnay. Little brothers are most often superior, to my way of thinking.
It’s juicy and crunchy, packs some flavour and most excellent flinty texture, along with a sort of lemon rind bitterness. A little toast, grapefruit, stonefruit, a mouth-watering intensity, and a chalky, almost tannic finish of excellent length. It offers complexity, and drinks beautifully right now.
It sits right in the sweet spot between out-and-out sophistication and pure juicy drinkability. It’s flashed with toast and honeysuckle and almonds but the mainstay flavours are more in the stone fruit, fennel and pear realms.
It feels, tastes and finishes in beautiful fashion. Rated : 94 Points ”
This is a beautiful wine that is drinking well now and will continue to improve for the next 10-12 years.