Carlei Green Vineyards, Chardonnay 2005

Life is full of surprises, and there has been no bigger surprise this year than when a member of our wine club, known affectionately as “Mr Vinegar”, brought an exceptional wine to share at last week’s regular club dinner.

Best known for his corked chardonnays and aged white burgundys that are beyond creating even a salad dressing, our colleague stole the show with his Carlei Green Vineyards 2005 Chardonnay ($26.00).

The wine hails from the cool Yarra Valley and has the length in the finish that you’d expect from a far more expensive drop. It’s (now) honeyed on the nose, pear and hazelnut on the palate, and courtesy of French oak and a touch of malolactic fermentation delivers a creamy complexity in the finish. It’s hard to believe that it still retains a touch of acidity after six years in the bottle!

It’s the kind of wine that is sure to rekindle our love affair with a well-wooded chardy!