Foreign Friends 2025 King Valley Chenin Blanc 'Alice'

"Coiled on first pour, this Chenin Blanc (made with fruit from Sophie Darling's Darling Estate Vineyard) unwinds in the glass to reveal concentrated and ripe Williams Pear and blossom thereof, white grapefruit, sliced fennel, crushed stones, citrus leaf, tarragon and caraway, stem ginger, and an inkling of meadow flowers. I keep looking for sunlight here but instead there is something of the Autumn light in the Alpine Valleys; clear but cool. The palate is cleanly etched, with a bracing blade of acidity undercutting the generous fruit and mineral profile of the wine. There is plenty of dry extract coupled to fine and ripe fruit yet the wine never oversteps from medium-bodied. The finish is long and fresh, with touches of mineral salt. Slightly tart green pear and skin of same (with lovely phenolics akin), lime zest, white peach; then sage and tarragon. Supporting: fennel fronds and a hint of yellow peach. There is a particularly admirable way the wine coats the palate, especially the tongue. The poise on the lingering finish is just wonderful. The final flavours, repeating, are those of anise and fresh pear drops. Very fine." — David