Australians can be timid when it comes to ageing their sparkling wines.The French less so. French-born winemaker, Xavier Bizot, would like us to consider a 25 year cellaring potential for his 2022 Adelaide Hills Blanc de Blancs. With a Diam cork in place, there is no reason not to take it on board. This 100% Adelaide Hills sparkling Chardonnay shows wonderful freshness and youth now, totally flavour integrated, which should take it further in both time in cellar and complexity. Something to consider as you pour a glass and enjoy lifted aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, citrus and white peach, almond, brioche, apple tarte tatin and lemon pith. It’s complex, due in part to fermentation in seasoned, 600L barrels, followed by another six months of lees stirring and a second or malolactic fermentation. The result is layer upon layer of flavour, fresh and alive with a lovely integration of texture. The dosage is low allowing an impressive fruit quality with its citrus-peach freshness, peach custard, nuts and baked goods to shine. It remains essentially youthful and, hence, worthy of more time in the cellar if you choose.
95 Points