Posted from CellarTracker
This shit is reallllly good. But it’s from Australia so I can’t justify the $100 — kidding but also it’s a seriously stupid trick our minds play on us.
I’ve only come around to this wine in the late teens, and wish I’d passed on many a burg in favor of it.
I’m guessing you’ve never had Grange then? 
I had once at a tasting but it’s quite a different case in that it has been priced close to its equivalents in the competition to my eye.
The art series Chardonnay is a great bargain when compared to white burgs IMHO. Especially since there is no premox fear. That alone is worth $79 of its price!
No question. It’s one of the few bargains left.
Very nice to see a note on an aged version of this, thanks Jeremy.
Even their second wine is pretty solid
Are there any other recommended Aussie Chardonnay which are (1) under $100 in the US, (2) made in more of a French or AFWE style (or at least some midway point towards that style — just not full on ripe oaky new world stereotype style), and (3) preferably ageworthy at least to a medium extent?
Not Australia, but in an adjacent country:
Look towards Kumeu River Chards from Waiheke Island
They’re fantastic and available across a variety of price points
I agree and I like those.
Not sure if this makes sense but they taste more of New Zealand than Chardonnay.
Kind of like how you might have a Merlot or Syrah from Tuscany and it tastes more like Tuscany than Merlot or Syrah.
Not a negative, just kind of an observation.
Hi Keith, yes all the Kumeu River Chardonnays are really good. My favourite is the Hunting Hill.
I think rhe wine maker Michael Brakjovich would be amused to know his wines are from Waiheke Island. The wines are grown at Kumeu (hence the name) in West Auckland.
Cheers Brodie
Does anyone have experience with the chards from BK Wines? The reviews and price look interesting, but I haven’t tried them myself.
This is a first from my experience. Normally when I’ve poured Kumeu River many have confused it for Burgundy. I’ve certainly never found it tropical or spoofed up, but ymmv
lol, this is what I get for typing it out while out for a walk and not double checking 
Funny, I guess saying a wine tastes of New Zealand connotes different things to different people.
Are NZ wines spoofed up? I can’t think of one I had like that.
maybe spoofed up was the wrong terminology to use on my part. Instead, maybe I should lean more into the tropical sense. Either way, past Marlborough stereotypes, I don’t think I’ve had any Chardonnay from Kumeu River that would make me think it would be forward and/or tropical. Instead, I’ve found them to be pretty classic Chardonnays that have confused many people for Burgundy when I’ve poured them blind
2017 Mount Mary Chardonnay was very good a year ago. The oak was a little too assertive for my taste, but clearly high quality stuff.
Can chime in on Hunting Hill—had a very young one about a month ago. Haven’t had a Penfolds Yattarna in forever and seven years, but i recall those were up there in quality.
2023 Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chard
I figured the group had not had the (arguably) signature New Zealand Chard producer, so I brought this. I also know the wines a bit, so gave it a 2 hour decant. Larry very rightly notes a reductive quality to the wine. There’s unripe apple and mineral components. Very young, of course, but fine structure with acid that shows best in the midpalate. Touches of citrus and mint. I do think this will be a good example with 4 more years.
Again, not OZ but rather NZ, but Craggy Range’s ‘Kidnappers’ Chardonnay is quite good.
Not surprised to hear this. Their Rieslings are taking names and kicking bu**s!