Yass Valley Times, 12 July 2023, by Brent Lello, Yass Valley Times Wine Columnist
Chardonnay is the staple white variety at Chateau Lello. We enjoy all white wines on occasion, but our points go to the rich and round smoothness and complexity of a good “Chardy”. The best wines of the Chardonnay breed come from the cooler climates around Australia – think Margaret River, Tasmania, Mornington, Yarra Valley and closer to home, the Lake George and Tumbarumba areas. But there are some excellent examples grown and produced right here in the Yass Valley region too. One such wine is the subject of this week’s “swirl” – the Wimbaliri Wines “35th Parallel” Chardonnay 2019.
Scott Gledhill is owner and winemaker and is waving his winemaking wand to produce quality cool climate styles with fruit sourced from their own vineyard,
situated on a north-easterly facing slope overlooking the vineyards of Clonakilla. The Wimbaliri vineyard location is cool climate prime time and there are some exciting new releases coming out soon – stay tuned!
This Chardonnay is a bright, pale gold colour in the glass with a brilliant light from within. A swirl produces aromas of ripe, yellow-fleshed peach and white nectarine with crushed hazelnut and cashew. The palate is rich, luscious and mouth-coatingly smooth. The palate is loaded with delicious flavours of ripe stone fruit and a hint of roasted nuts with a lovely line and length of harmonious acidity. The finish is fine and lingering. This is top-class cool climate Chardonnay – complex and complete.
We enjoyed our bottle with a home-egg frittata embedded with roasted home-grown pumpkin and truffle-infused cream cheese – a sublime combination. This would also be a ripping choice with roast chicken with honey mustard gravy. I sourced mine direct from Scott at the winery, the cellar door is open by appointment only. You can find Wimbaliri wines on good restaurant wine lists around the region, or you can buy their wines online.
Full Article available here: YVT 2023 Page 8