Firstly, a known quantity, the wine that has had the title "Greatest Chardonnay in the world" bestowed upon it. The 2007 Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay had aromas of rich, toasty oak and with some mango and pineapple coming right out of the glass. Very bright lots of herbs and lemon coming off. The palate is full, some very noticable oak, tinned cooked pineapple with some pork fat elements coming through. Then lemon thyme and chalk on the finish. A really nice, well balanced, definitely noticeable Australian, but very refined, Chardonnay. 95pts (£50)
Next up was a wine I've been looking forward to trying for ages. I've never had Chateau Montelena before, and wondered if the 2007 that I had been given held up to the hype. Pleasingly it did. Bright, fresh herbs and lemon on the nose, followed by some lemon curd, some dirty citrus and a bit of tobacco. There is a lot of tropical fruit coming off, but it is restrained with sweet cashews and a little fat. There is a bit of alcohol off the front end of the palate, some pithy fruit, a touch of fat half way through and then some pineapple with a little bit of pencil lead. Very clean, some savoury graphite notes comes through and just a touch of melon skin on the finish. Very clean and very well made, very Burgundian in style, but still showing its origins. Lovely. 96 pts (Not available in UK)
But the best wine? A 2007 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur from Jean-Claude Bessin.
Lovely, bright, chalk and cream elements on the nose. There are round mango and pineapple aroma with some oriental spice coming off. Beautiful balance, some pepper and a rich mango, melon pith and honey flavour coming off. Stone and then some warm pepper and a little bit of apple on the finish. This wine is a masterpiece, hard to pull it to pieces and get the flavours out, such is its balance and completeness. This is an experience to savour, not just a series of flavours. 97pts (£35)
So there you have it. The best chardonnay in the world was the worst (though that is like saying Cindy Crawford's mole makes her ugly), and the cheapest is the best.
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