2016 Kevin John Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
The 2016 vintage in Margaret River was warm and produced wines of tremendous power and tannic drive. The whites are less distinctive in this season than the reds, but they are no less memorable. Aromatically, the 2016 Kevin John Chardonnay leads with a balanced nose of exotic spice, saffron and galangal, white pepper, ripe yellow peach and candle wax. I find the wine to be powerful and robust in nature, with a pronounced oak framing. This latter part is interesting, because the time in oak varies so largely season to season, depending on the nature of the fruit, that I can't say, "In comparison, this has been in oak a long time." In fact, it did spend a longer time in oak than the vintage immediately preceding it (10 months, as opposed to five months), but there was a lower percentage of new oak here (31% versus 73% in 2015). 13.6% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Limpid yellow-gold. Intense honeydew, Meyer lemon, pear, iodine and toasted brioche on the deeply perfumed, mineral-driven nose. Juicy and expansive in the mouth, offering densely packed yet lively orchard and citrus fruit, vanilla and sweet butter flavors and a bright suggestion of spicy ginger. Shows fantastic energy, sharp delineation and juicy cut on the endless, penetrating finish, which features a sexy floral nuance and resonating minerality.
To be released on what would have been Kevin John Cullen’s 95th birthday, 22 November 2017. 30% aged in oak, the rest in amphora. Some whole bunch. Very intense nose though for the moment not that persistent. Classic, salty, grapefruit-juice nose. Extremely fresh, lively and crisp but with a fine fruity core. Chalky finish. Very appetising. (JR)