Lobethal Road - Bacchant Chardonnay, 2015
Established in 1998 by Dave Neyle and Inga Lidums, Lobethal Road is a family-owned winery based at the foot of Mount Torrens in the Adelaide Hills of Southern Australia.
Lobethal Road is an estate producer, meaning they only make wine from grapes grown on their premises. Dave and Inga believe wine is made in the vineyard. As such, they follow a minimal intervention policy. They also embrace an environmentally sustainable approach to vineyard management – for example using solar energy throughout the property.
“Bacchant” Chardonnay is made from the best parcels of Lobethal Road’s vineyards. Its name is inspired by Bacchus – the greek god of wine. Hand pruned and hand picked, the chardonnay is fermented in French oak with the use of wild yeast.
Straw-hued and pale in the glass, the wine opens up with great intensity of flavours on the nose. It’s aromatic, perfumed, floral and seductive. Succulent stone and tropical fruit mingle with secondary flavours adding a sweet twist. Peach pulp, papaya, guava notes are soon followed by a mix of vanilla, coconut, jasmine, honeysuckle and candied citrus. In spite of the exuberance of the aromatic profile, the wine reveals a surprising balance and poise.
On the palate, this chardonnay is full in body, rich, fleshy and lush. In the attack, there are impressions of juicy yellow peaches, tropical fruit and grapefruit which are so ripe that they seem almost sweet. The fruit aromas are followed by loads of flowery scents such as iris, jasmine and honeysuckle. The intense primary aromas are encased by lovely scents of toast and vanilla. The mouthfeel is creamy and rich without being bulky. A good acidity (medium+) helps maintain freshness and definition of flavours. Very concentrated, precise, intense, balanced, culminating with a long mouthwatering finish.