Philip Shaw 2011 The Architect Chardonnay

Philip Shaw 2011 The Architect Chardonnay

Region: Orange NSW | $23

This dry white, made by Philip Shaw from fruit grown on the Koomooloo Vineyard near Orange, doesn’t show obvious chardonnay fruit character and I was initially struggling for descriptors.

Or at least I was until I looked at Philip’s winemaker’s notes on his website and found a reference to the wine’s honeyed flavour. Spot on, I thought, and kicked myself for not finding this so obvious, in retrospect, character.

It’s a well made, fault-free wine, with excellent acid balance, but I would expect a bit more complexity of flavour at this price point. For me, the six months in oak on yeast lees don’t express themselves loudly enough and the result is a bit too one-dimensional.

Visit http://www.philipshaw.com.au

— JOHN ROZENTALS*

*John Rozentals is a Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) graduate.

Samples for tasting and review should be addressed to John Rozentals, PO Box 3484, Rhodes 2138.