Jaraman Chardonnay 2022 – Wakefield Wines
In this review of the Wakefield Jaraman Chardonnay 2022, we are going to investigate why this wine has acclaimed the Trophy and a Gold medal in the Mundus Vini International Wine Awards 2023 and Silver at the Asian Chardonnay Masters 2023.
We are curious to see what the hype is all about and learn more about this highly decorated Chardonnay by Wakefield Wines.
About the Variety
Chardonnay is a super versatile variety and can vary in flavor profiles where it comes from in the world. Adelaide Hills Chardonnay parcels are lean and mineral like, where Clare Valley Chardonnay parcels provide the fruit fleshiness. When blended it creates a superior Chardonnay blend; and is proving to be a show stopper from the glass to the prestigious award shows.
About the Winery
Wakefield Wines have been going for three generations of the Taylor family of winemakers, located in the Clare Valley, South Australia. Their winemaking philosophy draws strongly on the idea of terroir, that the soil, climate and landscape all contribute to the distinctness of their quality wines. The winery opened a custom designed wine facility for the 2009 vintage which sought to preserve the quality of each and every grape. A key feature of their facility is a large Pera press, which uses fewer pressing cycles to extract the same amount of juice from the grapes. As the process is gentler it releases less unwanted phenolic characters and preserves purity of flavor. Everything they do, even being the first Australian winery to only use screw cap closures to the installation of their extremely gentle gas mixing system, is done to allow the fruits grown in their vineyard to be experienced to their full.
About the Vinification
The wine regions of Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley both have their extraordinary diversity in this unusual fusion between both sub regions, showcasing their distinctive regional characteristics and style. The Jaraman is 58% Adelaide Hills fruit and 42% Clare Valley fruit, pressed separately in the Para press. All of the free run juice is then fermented in quality French oak barrels (60% new and the remainder in a combination of 2 and 3-year-old). After fermentation the wine has then been matured for a further 8 months in French oak before both regional parcels from Clare Valley and Adelaide hills were then blended to perfection to really meld the both regions flavor profiles to perfection before being prepared for bottling.
About the Wine
The appearance of the wine is a pale lemon, almost straw like with a tinge of green. To the nose it has aromas and characteristics of melon, lime and stone fruits, with underlying tropical notes green pineapple, guava and kiwi fruit; also having subtle secondary characteristics of flint, cedar and spices and tertiary creamy notes of butter and dough signifying lees stirring. On the palate, lemon, lime, fig, white peach, honeydew melon; with super clean minerality; great acidity and a zesty lemon. Fantastic structure and wonderful long length, which flavors linger on the palate.
Conclusion:
Honestly, what a wonderful complex and well-integrated wine, with great acidic backbone and long length. Really impressive and at a ridiculous price point for the complexity and flavor integration of the wine. We completely understand why this wine has swept up trophies at international wine shows, and is currently ranked as the “Best Australian White Wine in the World”. We award this Australian Chardonnay with a 93-point DWA score.
This review is written by our own Teri Wheeler. The Jaraman Chardonnay is available in the Netherlands through Gall & Gall.
Price: €16,49 euro
Taste date: March 2023
Score: 93/100
Website: Wakefield Wines