WILLEM KURT WINES 2022 CHARDONNAY ($45 / Beechworth, VIC)
This week I am talking about Chardonnay, which is really a minefield, as there are so many different styles, ranging from Sav Blanc “wanna-be” to significantly wooded (almost lumps of 4x2) ones. Even in-between there are so many different styles, different regionalities and nuances that it can be mind blowing.
I must confess that I was smitten by Beechworth chardonnay way back in the early 1990’s when my friend and colleague David Morris introduced me to Rick Kinzbrunner at Giaconda Wines. The 1992 Giconda Chardonnay blew me away- I had never tasted such a magnificent Chardy before. For quite a few years I bought Giaconda Chardonnay each year until the price got beyond my means (young family etc) and I lost touch with Beechworth.
Luckily a few years ago Daniel Balzer sent me a bottle of his 2016 Willem Kurt Chardonnay and I was re-smitten (if there is such a word) with Beechworth Chardonnay. Along the way I have also sampled some other excellent Chardonnay from Castagna & Haldon Estate, however I gob-smacked, year after year by the quality
Today’s wine is the Willem Kurt Wines 2022 Beechworth chardonnay with its magnificent #coolclimate bouquet of limes, lemons & peaches- very attractive. The palate is sensational, tight yet rich & creamy, mouth filling with excellent sophisticated flavours of gentle limes & white peaches plus a divine, lingering finish. TRULY OUTSTANDING!!!
This magnificent wine, along with their other excellent wines can be found at www.willemkurtwines.com.au – well worth checking out!!
Dan Traucki