Philip Shaw The Architect Chardonnay 2011 Orange Australia

Orange, New South Wales - Originally known as the Central Highlands, the region centres on the slopes of Mount Canobolas an experimental viticultural station was established at nearby Molong in the 1940s, but vines were first planted commercially in 1980. The region's elevation strongly influences the climate and the soils are variable. Overall, mild to warm midsummer mean temperatures, seldom rising above 32°C, but offset by cool / cold nights during the growing season hence keeping fresh acidity in the grapes. Rainfall is predominately in winter and springand  the three driest months are February, March and April hence irrigation is highly desirable. The strong winds reduce the risk of frost but they also hinder fruit set. Another problem that this area ( like quite a few in the cooler Australian growing regions) has are flocks of feeding birds – netting is used by some growers as a necessity. Chardonnay is the most established variety in the Orange region and is noted for its bright elegant styles. It is well suited to the varying altitudes and conditions.

Philip Shaw The Architect Chardonnay 2011  is medium lemon with a limey green tinge, on the nose are subtle aromas of green apple and peaches, on the palate the same fruits exhibit themselves with a sneaky cheesey nuance, this wine has had oak contact - but it is subtle older oak and has a fattness that enrobes the wines flavours. Fresh acidity keeps this wine clean and would work well with food, the alcohol embellishes rather than dominates - a nicely made wine. The maker comments on the production methods 'Fermentation occurred utilising yeast from the vineyard at a moderate temperature taking about 14 days to complete. The wine remained on yeast lees for 6 months in old French oak barrels and small stainless tanks. This allowed a build up of complexity without a noticeable amount of oak character.' The finish is peach and apple with a slightly acidc end. 

This is a wine that will keep - so look forward to drinking it over the next few years.

Score : 82

This is available from Amazon at a cost of £13.30.

 

Logan Shiraz 2009, Orange, Australia

Logan Shiraz 2009 from Orange in New South Wales, Australia.  Orange - originally known as the Central Highlands, is centred on the slopes of Mount Canobolas where an experimental viticultural station was established at nearby Molong in the 1940s, with vines first planted commercially in 1980.
The region's elevation lying at about 6-800m strongly influences 'the climate' and the area has variable soils. Overall, mild to warm midsummer mean temperatures, seldom rising above 32°C, but offset by cool / cold nights during the growing season to keep fresh acidity in the grapes. Rainfall is predominately in winter and spring with  the three driest months are February, March and April hence irrigation is highly desirable. The strong winds reduce the risk of frost but they also hinder fruit set. Another problem that this area has ( like quite a few in the cooler Australian growing regions)  are flocks of feeding birds – netting is used by some growers as a necessity.
The vines here are 15 years old and planted in rich, deep volcanic soils on the north-facing slopes of Mount Canobolas. After crushing, the grapes were seeded with FX10 yeast.Fermentation was in a combination of small open fermenters which were plunged twice per day and large rotary fermenters, spun twice per day. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in tank before being racked to oak barrels. Maturation was for 15 months in French and Hungarian oak hogshead (300L) and puncheon (500L) barrels (a mixture of new, one, two and three year old).
Logan Shiraz 2009 is a wine to try - it is deep, deep ruby with black tints, and the legs are slow fat and coloured! On the nose luscious, vibrant ripe plums, black cherry and a hint of pepper with mint. Tasting it did not disappoint, the black fruits ( cherry, currant, berry ) are supported wonderfully by the fresh acidity and well defined, ripe, silky tannins. There is a spicey, minty edge to this wine that adds extra complexity and the alcohol feels in balance ( 14%) and well integrated. The length is long and has  spice and ripe fruit end! A deep chocolatey wine that has fresh warmth and feels well balanced, I look forward to trying this over the next 5 or so years.