WTN: Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2006

Eileen Hardy Chardonnay 2006 - Tasmania, Yarra Valley and Tumbarumba; 13% abv; 29€

According to the back label these are all cool climates, and the relatively low abv and the bright, citric character would indeed suggest that this is the case. The sheer weight would suggest otherwise. But perhaps the harsh, bitter oaking has provided an illusion of extreme weight that wouldn't otherwise be so manifest. I thought the trend in over-oaking should have been over? Why spoil such good material?

But perhaps the harsh, bitter oaking has provided an illusion of extreme weight that wouldn't otherwise be so manifest. I thought the trend in over-oaking should have been over? Why spoil such good material?

Generally, Australian Chardonnay has certainly moved in that direction (less oak)* but the Eileen Hardy has always been a wine where the oak deliberately dominates, and they seem to be keeping it that way.

*Having said that, I find most Australian Chardonnay still has quite noticable oak influence (certainly compared to, for example, most Burgundian and the more "restrained" USA Chardonnays, anyway).