McWilliam's seems to have taken a stealthy approach to marketing of late, as some of their brands have decidedly slipped off my radar, Barwang included. I remember having some lovely reds in the late 90s from this Hilltops winery, and the prices were always excellent for the quality. But not so much visibility of late. So, in an effort to remain "with it," I thought I'd give this Chardonnay a go tonight.
The nose is pretty forward, and shows as much nutty oak character as it does fruit. The fruit is riper, perhaps in the yellow peach part of the spectrum but with some citrus-like notes too. The entry shows quite intense acidity that tingles the tongue from the tip round to the edges. The ripe fruit flavour profile seems perhaps slightly at odds with the prominent acidity of the wine, but perhaps this is preferable to a flabby, fat wine. This is anything but flabby. Despite the acidity, it's not a hugely focused wine, the middle palate spreading fruit flavour generously and somewhat formlessly on the tongue. In style, I guess you would describe this wine as acid-driven but relatively worked in flavour profile, with some malo notes coming through alongside the ripe fruit. The McWilliam's website indicates weekly battonage, but this isn't an especially creamy wine. The after palate tapers slowly, allowing flavour to linger a little as the reasonably lengthy finish takes over.
Interesting wine, but to my taste not entirely satisfying. It seems a bit disjointed, with that acid sitting alongside the wine's fruit and being, in intensity, a little at odds to the rest of the wine's balance. Nevertheless, it went well with a chicken dinner. It's also reasonably priced for the quality.
Price: $A16
Closure: Stevin
Date tasted: January 2008
Leave a comment