The Chardonnay of the same vintage is a pretty good wine, smoky mind you, but otherwise excellent. I’ll review it later. This on the other hand, should most likely not have been released. I don’t normally review lesser wines but this is fully priced, and from a company not lacking in resources.

It smells good with dark cherry, peat smoke and spice - rich and inviting. On the palate medium to full bodied with black cherries, Chinese plum sauce, spice and some peaty smoke flavours (think Talisker) but texturally it feels distinctly odd - shapeless, denatured, acrid and rubbery. Most unnatural, it holds a sort of car crash fascination, and while drinkable affords little pleasure.

Rated : 84 Points
Tasted : May08
Alcohol : 13.5%
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2008