 Budge over Art Series Chardonnay World Class is exactly the correct way to describe many wines that are coming out of the New World. Last week, the Judgement of London tasting revealed how close the ‘old’ and ‘new’ world wine growing countries are. Europe pipped Rest of the World to the number one spot, but New Zealand and Australia scored top in the white wines. The event, which took place at the London Wine Fair in tribute to Stephen Spurrier’s infamous Judgement of Paris tasting, saw European wines take on the Rest of the World’s offer with judges including leading Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and wine experts including Jancis Robinson MW OBE. The judging line-up was top shelf. The judges scored each wine out of ten, which resulted in a grand total for each wine, and a final overall score for European vs. Rest of World. In a very closely fought blind tasting contest of 32 wines, European wines scored a total of 2,621.5 points to the Rest of the World’s 2,604.5 points, meaning the overall winner was the ‘Old World’ by 0.65%. The wines were equally impressive and included ’09 Châteaux Léoville Las Cases & Mouton Rothschild, Promontory, Harlan Estate, Hermitage Rouge, Jean Louis Chave, Rhône, Homage Syrah, Trinity Hill, Hawkes Bay, Torbreck Hillside Vineyard Grenache, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, Domaine Dujac, Storm Pinot Noir, Ridge, Hemel-en-Aarde, 2011 Pegasus Bay Riesling, Bel Canto, which we all know and adore, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, Maison Louis Jadot, Felton Road Chardonnay Block 6 to name a few… We also enjoyed Angus Hughson’s detailed article (published, Antonio Galloni Vinous) which covered, ‘The Yin and the Yang of Western Australia.’ Save for the odd plonker, there are few people that do not acknowledge Margaret River’s world class status. Angus provided tasting notes for 221 wines. Well done to Bruce / Domaine Naturaliste who received 96-points for their ’22 Artus Chardonnay. Same score as Vasse Felix Heytesbury and the luxuriously expensive 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Tom Cullity…  Beating the newly released 2021 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay into first spot Who sits at the top of the Margaret River tree? For many, Cullen, Leeuwin (Art Series) and Vasse Felix would be the first names out of the hat however, the emergence of Windows Estate (great wines), Cherubino (please read Matthew Jukes tasting note for the ’19 Budworth Cabernet) who are producing some of the very best along with McHenry Hohnen who topped the charts during this extensive tasting, beating the newly released 2021 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay into first spot. Granted, McHenry Hohnen is not a new winery. Founder, Murray McHenry planted his first vines (1981) at their Burnside Vineyard. In 1994 he and partner Brian Sierakowski began the development of the 30-hectare Calgardup Brook Vineyard, planting Chardonnay in 2006. McHenry's vineyard developments continued in 1998 with the purchase of a 75-hectare farm on Rocky Road (try the Chardonnay), planting Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. McHenry Hohnen's vineyards are managed using 100% biodynamic methods which are designed to improve the vitality and health of the soil. All their viticultural practices nurture the biodiversity both within the soil microbiology that surrounds the vines and the insects and animals which are attracted to the healthy crops. We expect to see the new, Leeuwin Art Series collection launched within weeks, including the 2021 Chardonnay which has received (as ever) fantastic reviews including 98-100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 98 points Ray Jordan, 98 points Angus Hughson, Vinous, 98 points, Decanter, 97+ points Erin Larkin, 97 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front and 97 points Halliday Wine Companion. Jeez, that’s high-quality consistency for you… Pricing is yet to appear in the UK ($159 in Oz) however, we expect to see this selling around £85-£90 per bottle (delivered). Either as an alternative or perhaps a new addition, why not try the wine that beat them all into first spot. We are thrilled to introduce the 99-point 2022 McHenry Hohnen Burnside Chardonnay which Angus Hughson describes as… “This classically proportioned 2022 single vineyard Chardonnay Burnside Vineyard is a powerhouse, but needs some time to shine. Waves of nectarine, floral and musky peach skin aromas with excellent focus are beautifully integrated with young, tight French oak. An almost perfect palate follows with taut acidity and a mineral frame holding energetic citrus flavors tight through to an exceptionally long and streamlined finish. World class Chardonnay." We’re also offering the 2021 McHenry Hohnen Burnside Chardonnay which Ray Jordan awards 98-points (same score as the ’21 Art Series Chardonnay) “There is a very strong influence of the soil and slope of this vineyard which has never been irrigated. The fruit comes off the top 8 rows at the top of the vineyard and there is also a section of UC Davis clones from another 8 rows in the middle, adding the richer pastry nougat characters. It's a rich and generous wine but it retains that fine chalky acidity. Has a slightly savoury element with some nice lemon pastry.” The duo is available for £75.00 delivered to your home (Cheaper than one bottle of Art Series Chardonnay). Both are in stock and ready to be shipped immediately… We suggest sitting in the garden and pouring both wines back-to-back. We will be sampling and sharing our tasting notes within the week (any excuse to open them!). World Class Chardonnay from the Margaret River   McHenry Hohnen Burnside Chardonnay Duo £75.00 per duo (2x75cl) 1 x 2022 McHenry Hohnen Burnside Chardonnay 99 Points – Angus Hughson (Vinous.com) “This classically proportioned 2022 single vineyard Chardonnay Burnside Vineyard is a powerhouse, but needs some time to shine. Waves of nectarine, floral and musky peach skin aromas with excellent focus are beautifully integrated with young, tight French oak. An almost perfect palate follows with taut acidity and a mineral frame holding energetic citrus flavors tight through to an exceptionally long and streamlined finish. World class Chardonnay." 1 x 2021 McHenry Hohnen Burnside Chardonnay 98 Points - Ray Jordan “There is a very strong influence of the soil and slope of this vineyard which has never been irrigated. The fruit comes off the top 8 rows at the top of the vineyard and there is also a section of UC Davis clones from another 8 rows in the middle, adding the richer pastry nougat characters. It's a rich and generous wine but it retains that fine chalky acidity. Has a slightly savoury element with some nice lemon pastry.” Also available from McHenry Hohnen  McHenry Hohnen Marsanne Roussanne Stuart McCloskey "McHenry Hohnen’s take on a Rhône classic, which is admirable to say the least. The 2020 is a blend of Marsanne (61%) and Roussanne (39%) from their Calgardup and Hazel's vineyards. Marsanne fruit was gently pressed straight to old barrels for fermentation with the Roussanne undergoing several hours of cold maceration with the skins before being pressed to a single concrete egg. Matured separately on fine lees for 6 months before coming together for the final assemblage… The bouquet immediately unfolds to crisp apple, stone fruits, apricot, confit lemon, subtle honey, fresh ginger and lime juice. With aeration (20 minutes or so) grandma’s kitchen comes into play with comforting fragrances wafting from the glass – apple pie, buttered pie crust, cinnamon and honey toast. Needless to say – I do recommend a short decant. The palate is medium-bodied, generous, yet acidity provides firmness and a little cut and thrust. Stone fruits, saline, spice – super clean and the perfect partner to cheese straws, which we were all devouring at the time of sampling. Texture currently wins over outright flavour, which is not an unfavourable factor. Quite the contrary as, and despite its fabulous value, this has the balance and pedigree to put away in one’s cellar. I could see this really coming to life in 3-5 years. A cracking wine and immensely enjoyable (one for the summer garden). Decant and serve using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. The Burgundy stem may prove to be better – do let me know…" £18.95 per bottle Buy 6 bottles for £102.33 SOLD OUT
Only 21 bottles remain  Rocky Road Margaret River Chardonnay 2018 Stuart McCloskey "This has settled into a really good place and will certainly appeal to those who prefer to enjoy Aussie Chardonnay without the reins of fashionable restraint and the need to clench one’s buttocks to cope with the level of agonising acidity. This is a charmer and ready to be enjoyed over the coming summer. It’s not a keeper, but another 24 months will do it no harm. The bouquet opens to hazelnut, cashew, salted lemon, barley, stone fruits, yoghurt (there’s a lactic twang, if you get my drift – you’ll see), apple skins, bruised apple along with a smidgen of ozone. The palate is fleshy, broad, creamy, super-smooth and is ready to be guzzled in the garden. There’s acidity that nips away nicely and keeps the ‘smoothness’ in check. The flavour spectrum follows a similar pattern to the bouquet – nutty, creamy, orchard fruits, confit lemon, saline / briny and finishes with a kiss of sweet spice. Addictive summer drinking. For maximum enjoyment - do not overchill and pour into Zalto Burgundy glassware. Highly recommended (at this price)." £16.55 per bottle SOLD OUT
Only 19 bottles remain |
