International Fine Wines
International Fine Wines
International Fine Wines
International Fine Wines

Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay 2018

$106.00
In stock
Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay 2018
Producer Lethbridge Wines
Region, Country Geelong, Australia
Bottle Size 750ml
Case Size 12
Product Code 24233-750

Named after daughter Allegra, this is Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson’s flagship Chardonnay. They source the fruit for the Allegra Chardonnay from the historic Rebenberg vineyard in Mount Duneed. Located 10 kilometres southwest of Geelong, the vineyard was initially planted in 1858 and replanted in 1968 by Ken and Joy Campbell. The Chardonnay vines are now almost 50 years old (planted in 1981, making them some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in Geelong). They are rooted in gravel and quartz soil and give extremely low yields of less than 12 hl/ha. These low yields and old vines go some way to explain how the Rebenberg vineyard always delivers “fruit of incredible density and acid”, according to Ray.

Fruit for the 2018 Allegra was picked by hand and pressed as whole bunches before barrel fermentation. The wine underwent full malolactic conversion and matured for 11 months in new oak, which Ray says allows “the oak tannins to frame the wine”. The wine then aged in bottle for a further three years before release. Lethbridge and Chardonnay are a match made in heaven, and here we have exhibit A.

Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay 2018

Reviews

“Lethbridge's flagship chardonnay, capable of stopping you in your tracks. With fineness, concentration of fruit and judicious winemaking, this is one of Geelong's best expressions of the grape. Citrus to the fore on the bouquet, with grapefruit, lemon, white nectarine and almond-meal notes. Fine lined throughout with a tantalising theme of bush herbs and lemon thyme. Bright, crystalline freshness to close.”
95 points, Jeni Port, Wine Companion
“Powerful style of Chardonnay from Geelong, most often. Stonefruit, preserved lemon, wheat germ, mint and garden herbs, cashew nuts. It’s intense in acidity, but rich in ripe lemon and peach flavour, kind of savoury and saline too, oatmeal and grapefruit, glossy yet flinty, with a finish of huge length and gently nutty oxidative character. Such personality, power, and presence. Wonderful.”
95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“A rich Chardonnay in the context of Australian tendencies to push the linear, reductive and taut. Yet there is no dearth of freshness. White peach, truffled lees and brulee segue to mineral crunch, a lick of classy oak and a long, penetrative finish. This mid-weighted, bottled aged iteration is for flavor hounds as much for those who like textural interplay and considerable complexity. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
94 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
“The nose is a balance of power and minerality, with lifted aromas of lemon blossoms, lime curd and oyster shells. The palate is focused and tight with an underlying power, giving notes of grapefruit, talcum powder, wet stones and puff pastry. Wonderfully balanced and refined. From a single vineyard planted in 1968. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
96 points, jamessuckling.com

Reviews

“Lethbridge's flagship chardonnay, capable of stopping you in your tracks. With fineness, concentration of fruit and judicious winemaking, this is one of Geelong's best expressions of the grape. Citrus to the fore on the bouquet, with grapefruit, lemon, white nectarine and almond-meal notes. Fine lined throughout with a tantalising theme of bush herbs and lemon thyme. Bright, crystalline freshness to close.”
95 points, Jeni Port, Wine Companion
“Powerful style of Chardonnay from Geelong, most often. Stonefruit, preserved lemon, wheat germ, mint and garden herbs, cashew nuts. It’s intense in acidity, but rich in ripe lemon and peach flavour, kind of savoury and saline too, oatmeal and grapefruit, glossy yet flinty, with a finish of huge length and gently nutty oxidative character. Such personality, power, and presence. Wonderful.”
95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
“A rich Chardonnay in the context of Australian tendencies to push the linear, reductive and taut. Yet there is no dearth of freshness. White peach, truffled lees and brulee segue to mineral crunch, a lick of classy oak and a long, penetrative finish. This mid-weighted, bottled aged iteration is for flavor hounds as much for those who like textural interplay and considerable complexity. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
94 points, Ned Goodwin MW, jamessuckling.com
“The nose is a balance of power and minerality, with lifted aromas of lemon blossoms, lime curd and oyster shells. The palate is focused and tight with an underlying power, giving notes of grapefruit, talcum powder, wet stones and puff pastry. Wonderfully balanced and refined. From a single vineyard planted in 1968. Excellent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
96 points, jamessuckling.com

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