Either due to the strong breeze of Châtelaillon-Plage, where I tasted this wine, or as a result of the fact that my son got a small sip before me and left some potato chips flavour on the glass, I had some problems distinguishing the aroma of this Chardonnay. I therefore cannot tell which ones of the typical scents of this well-known grape was predominant: if it was the tropical side of banana, melon, pineapple and guava, the stonefruits côté of peach, nectarine and apricot, or the omnipresent citrus and apple aroma. Most likely a mix of them, or the ones I would have focused my attention on.
On the other side, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the rich savoury in the mouth, where this Chinese Chardonnay displays an unexpected elegance, accompanied by just the right amount of acidity. An almost addictive aftertaste of biscuits let you enjoy for a short while after swallowing.
I usually don’t like much Chardonnay based wines, but this one I really cherished. Probably also because it is made in China, my wife’s homeland. A country I admire for many aspects, but usually not for its wines. This Chardonnay, that I bought for 19.80 EUR at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, is therefore a pleasant surprise.
Chardonnay is the world’s most famous white wine grape variety and one of the most widely planted. It plays for example a key role in the production of Champagne, to which it gives freshness, elegance and finesse.
Climate exerts a major role in dictating which fruit flavors a Chardonnay will have. At the same time, the final product can be significantly influenced by the winemaker involvement in various stages of the winemaking process. Mainly through the use of oak, which imparts aromatic complexity. Fermentation and/or maturation in oak barrels contributes notes of vanilla, smoke and hints of sweet spices. Extended lees contact while in barrel confers biscuity flavours. The use of barriques for malolactic fermentation gives distinctive buttery aromas.
The most highly regarded expressions of the variety are those from Burgundy, but the grape is widespread across all the globe. Château Nine Peaks Chardonnay Reserve is made in the Shandong Province, where in 1892 Changyu Winemaking Company, the first wine producer of China, was founded. Nowadays Shandong is the biggest wine-producing province of China and home to many wine-producers. Quite a few imported from abroad, like the vines.
Country: China
Region: Shandong
Grapes: Chardonnay
Type: White
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Château Nine Peaks
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5