Savaterre 2021 Chardonnay
Robert Parker Wine Advocate - Erin Larkin
"This 2021 Chardonnay won't be released until March 2023 (consider this your pre-release look). The fruit is a field blend of clones in the vineyard (8,000 vines per hectare, planted in 1996) and is handpicked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast, then the wine matures in French oak for 18 months. The wine is frisky (of course, at this early stage) and shows its oak at this stage, but it is already flowing in a cascade of almond meal, crushed nuts, briny acidity and salted peach. Through the finish, the phenolics tighten up and pull the fruit into line, dragging it out to a long finish. It is lovely, complex and tense and will soften in time. - 95 Points"
Winefront - Gary Walsh
" 'I don't even know what the clones are', says winemaker Keppell Smith. Cavin oak, which he imports, of which 30% is new. 2021 was a cool marginal year for this vineyard, he says, but the results are excellent, I say.
Ripe grapefruit, preserved lemon with ginger and biscuit spices, a light amount of fennel. Lovely perfume to the wine. Bright and fresh, a gentle creamy almond gloss, light flintiness and matchstick, tight core of acidirity, white nectarines, and some richer yellow fruit, but really pretty restrained. It flows along beautifully. It's a great glass of Chardonnay - 96 Points"
My Tasting Notes - 2021 Chardonnay
Light straw with green Chartreuse tinges.
The bouquet is a play between refinement and concentration. It slowly reveals itself over time. Complex , powerful and multi dimensional.
It hints at the pent up power and energy.
Initial glimpses of pear, white peach, preserved lemon, lime blossom, galangal, white flowers, grilled almond, subtle gun flint and exotic spices such as curry leaf, nutmeg and allspice in the background. All defined within a mineral framework.
The palate confirms its pedigree.
Power, complexity, minerality and incredible length interwoven seamlessly.
Multiple hints of white peach, pear, preserved lemon, almond and spice are framed within a tight mineral frame.
It finished with a long and ever-increasing complex finish.
This is a long lived, powerful, complex wine that was born of a great season. Patience and cool cellaring will reward those who can resist consuming it young.
If consuming under 5 years please decant for at least an hour for maximum enjoyment. Will continue to improve over the next 8 – 15 years.