WTN: Recent-ish tastes of two almost-Chablis, and a WA Syrah

Henry's Drive, Morse Code, Chardonnay, Padthaway 2010
Ripe pear and apple, limey citrus, nectar, white flowers, and abundant mineral, all with steely acidity. Completely unlike any Aussie Chard I've had before, this could almost pass for a Chablis. $10 for a Chardonnay with real personality is quite a deal. ** [1/21/12]

Powers, Syrah, Columbia Valley 2007
Captivating, heady, aromatic nose. On the nose and palate, a personality of accentuated blackberry (perhaps some blueberry in there too), currant, roses, tobacco, gamey notes, and smokey earth. The cool ripeness of WA red combined with Northern Rhone aromatics. This is some captivating stuff! *** [2/6/12]

Simonnet-Febvre, Brut, Cremant de Bourgogne NV
From Chablis. Pear, citrus rind, tangerine, toasty notes, and lots of mineral. Stylistically, the closest thing to Champagne I've had, and approaches the level of some Champagne NVs - and for half the price ($17)! Enjoyed very much. *** [2/14/12]

[David M. Bueker]

Wow - the mere thought that anything from Australia could ever approach a Chiblis kind of blows my mind.

Wow - the mere thought that anything from Australia could ever approach a Chiblis kind of blows my mind.

I know you're partially joking, but the Clare Valley rieslings are pretty taut and steely. Surprised me at first because of how we caricature Australian wines. But it is a big country/continent! And this Chardonnay seems not too far away from the Clare Valley geographically. Weather-wise, of course I have no idea.

Tie-in with Chablis??

http://www.thewinedetective.co.uk/regio ... orizontal/

Wow - the mere thought that anything from Australia could ever approach a Chiblis kind of blows my mind.

Apparently, Padthaway is a cool region, and has lots of limestone in the soil. So it fits the bill. It should be said, following on the link Bob posted, that in the same way that proper Chablis is perfectly ripe, not tasting as if it was picked green, this Chard was quite ripe, just not at all in the usual Aussie way. Like Rahsaan says, it's a big country. Given some of the developing successes with cool-climate styles, I think the Aussies might just be ready to surprise us.