Description

This vintage of Stargazer Chardonnay comes from a 22-year-old vineyard in the Derwent Valley. The grapes were handpicked, and whole bunch pressed directly to 500-litre oak puncheons (15% was new). Stargazer Chardonnay was fermented with indigenous yeast and went through malolactic fermentation in barrel.

Stargazer Chardonnay Tasmania 2019, and all wines are eligible for at least 5% off any six bottles. And 10% off any 12 bottles. Some wines will be at a more significant discount and not subject to further discounts.

New Zealander Samantha Connew was born on the South Island and eventually fell in love with Australia’s South Island, Tasmania. Stargazer is a tribute to Abel Tasman, who in 1642 sighted Tasmania and the South Island of NZ within 19 days of each other. Stargazer the brand started in 2012, and in 2016 Samantha purchased an 11-hectare vineyard at the Northern end of the Coal River Valley. Stargazer wines are made with wild ferments, no acid additions, subtle use of new oak.

Stargazer Chardonnay Tasmania 2019 Winery Tasting Notes

“Very pale-yellow straw in appearance. Lifted and aromatic on the nose, with white nectarine fruit and lemon curd notes supported by subtle spicy oak. The palate is textured and complex showing lemon meringue richness and some hazelnut creaminess.”

Tasmania

The beautiful island south of the Australian mainland that has carved out a reputation for quality sparkling wine and Pinot Noir. Tasmania’s cooler climate regions and extended growing season make it perfect for aromatic styles of wine. A wealth of quality focussed producers has helped lift the status of the whole island. Interestingly, despite notable differences, there is only one GI in Tassie.

Chardonnay

The grape that you can plant anywhere, in any climate and do anything to, and it will still taste like an OK wine. When people hit the sweet spot of site, climate, cropping and winemaking, Chardonnay becomes a magical wine that will age gracefully but charm you at any age. Chardonnays can range from cool-climate lean and citrusy to warmer climate tropical and overt. Oak and lees can add flavouring, as can malolactic fermentation.

Australian Wine

The invasion of “Sunshine in a bottle” put Australian wine on the map.  The fruity, easy-going, somewhat samey wines were endearing for a short time. Then the next big thing knocked them off their perch.

This forced producers to increase quality and emphasise the distinctive terroirs of Australia. Of which, there are many. And many more yet to be discovered.

Wine

Wine is the result you get from fermented grape juice. There is proof of wine production dating back 8000 years ago. Fashions, innovations and many other factors have influenced the way wine has evolved over the years.

The wine grape is impressive. It contains everything you need to make grape wine except for the yeast, which lives on the outside of the skins.

Human inputs can influence the final product, including the viticulture (growing) choices. And the winemaker can shape the wine to a point too.

The best wines of the world often refer to terroir. Terroir is a French term that refers to all the climatic, geological and topographical influences on a specific piece of land. And it is true that neighbouring vineyards, grown identically, can taste noticeably different.

White Wine

It is interesting to know that you can make white wine from almost any grape. The colour comes from the skins, and if there is no contact, there is no colour. White wines tend to be delicate, perfumed, higher in acid and lower in alcohol. It seems for this and many other reasons, it is hard to make an incredibly impressive white wine. But those that have mastered the art are indeed some of the best winemakers in the world.

It is a falsehood to think that white wine does not age as well as red wine. But it is correct that white wine, as a rule, doesn’t age for as long.

The Wine Depository

I, Phil, have been running The Wine Depository since 2011. The Wine Depository exists to make sure you are drinking the good wines. You can browse and pick what is interesting to you. Or you can make contact with me. I’ll make sure you get what you want, to your palate, to your budget and to your door.