This has a lovely golden straw colour, showing the lovely oak integration. It has very pleasant honey and grapefruit aromas, with some lovely oak-derived toasty malt characters adding to the aromatic complexity. The honey and grapefruit aromas persist through to the palate which is full and round. With excellent length and balance the flavours linger, refusing to subside in this silky smooth wine.
Parcels of fruit destined for the Crackerjack 2011 Chardonnay are kept separate during a cool fermentation to maximise the fruit character. 50% barrel fermentation in 1 and 2 year old French and American oak barrels lends the wine a nice toasty character, while a number of different yeast strains have been used for additional complexity. Ferments are left on yeast lees and periodically stirred, helping to contribute to a creamier mouth feel.
This is just fabulous with fettuccini al fungi, roasted pumpkin and spinach risotto, veal scallopini or roast lemon chicken.
