Wakefield Wines St. Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay 2016
Editor Rating
- Rated 4 stars
- Excellent
- Clare Valley
- Reviewed by: Treve Ring
- Published on: August 3, 2018
- Last modified: August 3, 2018
Review Summary:
This is the winery's flagship white, named for the historic property first established in 1892. This is sourced from the heart of Clare, from two blocks in the historic St. Andrews vineyards, and planted to the French Bernard clone. From the famed terra rossa soils (red brown loam over limestone), this is whole berry pressed with juice cooled quickly to maintain freshness and delicacy. The juice is then cold-settled prior to fermentation in French oak barrels with batonnage for 9 weeks post fermentation, followed by 10 months on lees in new and 1-year-old French oak. All the treatments are certainly felt in this serious, full-bodied and creamy white, lined with lemon curd, hay, roasted almonds and savoury flinty notes. Pear, white peach, large flake salts are compacted into an impressive 12 degrees alcohol. Though the wood is evident at this very youthful stage, this wine was built for the future. So much freshness and finesse here now; drinks beautifully now after opening but will be a killer in a few years’ time. Cellar-worthy, and a highlight of the portfolio.