95pts Limestone Coast Wine Show, 94pts Kim Brebach, 93pts Sam Kim
Alcohol %
13.5
Closure
Screwcap
Biodynamic
No
Why We Chose This Wine
Katnook pioneered Chardonnay in the Coonawarra, initially planting vines in 1971 and with the 1980 vintage marking the first commercial release.
The mild to cool 2022 growing season was exceptional for Coonawarra Chardonnay. Small quantities of fruit were pressed straight to oak, 20% of which was new. From there, wild fermentation and lees stirring to build texture and creaminess was employed every couple of weeks. Flavours and aromas here are of stonefruit, hazelnut, cream and spice.
Coonawarra’s very first vintage in the mid-1890s was produced entirely in the Woolshed which is part of the Katnook property. The Woolshed is part of Katnook’s barrel shed these days and is immediately adjacent to the winery. Katnook has a reputation for producing world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Region
Coonawarra, SA
If there is one combination to look for when browsing for a good medium-bodied red, Coonaw ...
If there is one combination to look for when browsing for a good medium-bodied red, Coonawarra SA, terra rosa and Cabernet Sauvignon is always a winner. Far down the line from Adelaide (about 390km southeast, a grape's throw from the border of Victoria), the name is Aboriginal for "honeysuckle", yet reds from the region are more known for flavours of plum and blackcurrant.
The Coonawarra vineyard region is sparse, running along a thin 2km-wide ridge elevating it above surrounding swamp. World-renowned, this 15km stretch of red soil is so unique, it's worth looking it up on google maps and switching to satellite view to see how it is farmed. See that s ... Read Full Article
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Variety
Chardonnay
Chardonnay sits on the fence of many a wine enthusiast. Versatile, kind in nature and oh s ...
Chardonnay sits on the fence of many a wine enthusiast. Versatile, kind in nature and oh so compliant, however for most it's still dressed in attire that's so distinctly... 90s. Shoulder pads, overalls and bike shorts saw this particular version of white wine with such a wooded vengeance, we were practically asking the chefs to take the butter out of the meals to make way for it. Thankfully however, times are a changin'. Underneath all that 90s getup reveals elegance and sophistication and Australia is doing its bit to make Chardy interesting again. Read Full Article
There is nothing better than a cooler evening, a bowl of Wild Mushroom Risotto and a bottle of pinot in hand. Well, the glass in hand but the bottle pretty close to hand too. It's a cracking match. This week thanks to my buddy Dan at winedirect.com.au, I am sipping a Picardy Pinot Noir. This Pinot comes out of Pemberton in WA. In fact, it's my first Pinot from WA. Thanks Dan, you gave me my first.
Not often can you sit back and bask in your own glory. Well, this wine pairing is 100% one of those moments. As soon as I cracked open the delicious pinot and gave it a whiff I knew it would pair beautifully.
Chardonnay sits on the fence of many a wine enthusiast. Versatile, kind in nature and oh so compliant, however for most it's still dressed in attire that's so distinctly... 90s. Shoulder pads, overalls and bike shorts saw this particular version of white wine with such a wooded vengeance, we were practically asking the chefs to take the butter out of the meals to make way for it. Thankfully however, times are a changin'. Underneath all that 90s getup reveals elegance and sophistication and Australia is doing its bit to make Chardy interesting again.
If there is one combination to look for when browsing for a good medium-bodied red, Coonawarra SA, terra rosa and Cabernet Sauvignon is always a winner. Far down the line from Adelaide (about 390km southeast, a grape's throw from the border of Victoria), the name is Aboriginal for "honeysuckle", yet reds from the region are more known for flavours of plum and blackcurrant.
The Coonawarra vineyard region is sparse, running along a thin 2km-wide ridge elevating it above surrounding swamp. World-renowned, this 15km stretch of red soil is so unique, it's worth looking it up on google maps and switching to satellite view to see how it is farmed. See that strip of green north of Penola? That's it, and notice the big spread of nothing around it? The Coonawarra is a very special place. Laying on an old ridge of limestone, the fields have superb drainage, allowing the vines to flourish without the dampness at night that can ruin a good crop. Very similar in climate to the Bordeaux region in France,
