Print this Wine         1996 Clarendon Hills "Kangarilla" Chardonnay   CLARENDON                 January Release   Chardonnay       Considering the attention Roman Bratasiuk has received for his all conquering red wines it may come as a surprise to taste this wine and see that Roman is equally adept at whites. This is a blockbuster, rich and intense wine, due almost entirely to the location of the vineyard in the warmer Clarendon sub-region. The wine displays a deep golden honey colour, indicative of low yielding vines and 100% new oak maturation. Not only does the wine look like honey it has its aroma as well. Sweet and rich, this honey character blends perfectly with ripe figs and melons. There are also some roasted cashews and some sawdust from the oak. Big, powerful and complex. The palate see a continuation of the richness pre-empted on the nose. Whilst the wine has seen plenty of oak and this is quite evident on the nose it is a little more subdued on the palate and integrated into the fruit. The concentration and ripeness is staggering. There is some astringency at the finish and the wine has quite a high level of acidity that almost gets lost amongst the ripe fruit. This is a drink now proposition for with a weakness for powerful Chardonnay. However, if left alone for at least 5 years, even 10, the structural components will soften and mellow. There is sufficient fruit to hold and remain concentrated for this period of time. A wine so rich needs an equally rich dish to match it for intensity. Crayfish would be the most appropriate choice, particularly if it is broiled then drizzled with melted butter.

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