Mayford 2023 Porepunkah Chardonnay

"Refined, tightly coiled aromatic profile with a line of noble reduction. Fruit is not at the fore here, hence the distinctly Burgundian sensibility. Rosemary oil and gunflint, smashed rock lay poised above nougat and yellow florals, accompanied by earth and mineral nuances. Aromatically the fruit unfurls slowly, and with grace; peach and peach skin, white nectarine, and hints of citrus confiture. The palate is elegant and flowing, with a layered feel to fine phenolics and beautiful support from faint oak tannin. The close is long and mineral, cloaked in fruit and dry extract. Nougat and white stone-fruit, Wu Long tea, faint toasted bran, with graceful crushed lime leaf and zest hovering over a confiture richness. Hints of praline on the close. Finishes very delicately with an impression of nuance and ethereality." — David

 

"Without the ‘appellation inflation’, this is the value proposition of the year for me. Finer than nearly all Beechworth Chardonnays, yet half the price.

This is such an exquisite wine. Declaring it now: Aussie Chassagne." — Nick

 

"Thinking about this wine a week later, I am fixated on the sophistication and complexity of its phenolic profile. Both Giaconda and Savaterre rule the roost to the North, aromatically speaking of course, but sometimes the former lacks phenolic depth and palate structure, while the latter has these elements in spades to the point of coarseness in youth. Mayford avoids these pitfalls and perhaps is as fine a wine for it." — David