Faultline

Another wine I had some weeks ago and worth noting.

2001 Kooyong "Faultline" Chardonnay

It was quite a good one, as this review demonstrates:

Very stylish, harmonious and tightly crafted Mornington Peninsula chardonnay with a delicate, slightly oxidative fragrance of grilled nuts, wheatmeal, citrus and stonefruits. Fleshy and elegant, but very restrained, with a bright core of fruit that eases along towards a lingering meaty, nutty and savoury finish. 18.6, drink 2006-2009 ($55 AUD retail, approx.). Jeremy Oliver, OnWine

Lavendar Clouds

Last night at dinner with friends had a very nice Chenin Blanc from Loire, 2002 Bourillon-Dorleans Vouvray Sec Vieilles Vignes la Coulee d'Argent which had a marvellous soft, lavender and musk bouquet, and was soft and limey on the palate. Suited the mussels and squid entree very nicely.



We followed it with some Cloudy Bay Chardonnay from NZ, which I haven't had for some years. It was first quite oaky on the palate, then softened and became buttery, then it sharpend to gooseberry/passionfruit, then to sweet honey/straw, then finished with caramel. An interesting progression over the meal. Very nice.

Alsatian petrol and the elegance of the Rhone

Dinner again last night, more seafood and more French wine.

Started with a Lucien Albrecht Grand Cru Riesling Pfingstberg 2002 which was reasonably dry, subtle oak, clean white fruit yet very petrolly - high octane in fact, enough to get your Citroen over the border. Didn't quite sit that well with entrees, being assorted shellfish, but probably would work better with some cheeses, or sausages perhaps. But it was true Riesling none the less. It seems from reviews, the 2001 vintage was a better wine.



But then to a bottle of J. Vidal-Fleury 2002 Condrieu Blanc, very generously supplied by Phil. A Very elegant and well balanced Viognier, with soft oak and apricot. It had intelligence, and kept itself deliciously distanced on the palate, never intruding, never leaving. I highly recommend this one. Mmmmmm