James Halliday 2021 Wine Companion Results
In the latest James Halliday Wine Companion, the bestselling and definitive guide to Australian wine, Chandon achieved some great results, most notably Chandon Winemaker's Selection Rosé which received 97 points and the additional award of 'special value for money'.
Chandon Winemaker's Selection Rosé 2013 - 97 Points
"The palest of pale roses is in another hemisphere from Chandon's NV Brut Rose. It comes from the Yarra Valley, Whitlands Plateau and Strathbogie Ranges. It has a heady perfumed bouquet with violets and spice, the palate of ultimate elegance and effortless length," James Halliday.
Chandon Cuvee 205 - Upper Yarra Valley 2015 - 95 Points
"74.7% chardonnay, 23% pinot noir and 2.3% pinot meunier. The bouquet is strikingly similar to poached pears, cream and cinnamon, the palate sticking tightly to this theme, its acidity balanced by the dosage of 6g/l. It spent over 48 months on yeast lees, all adding to the undoubted complexity," James Halliday.
Chandon Vintage Brut 2015 - 95 Points
"Over 36 months on lees, disgorged July '18; from estate vineyards at Coldstream, Whitlands and Strathbogie. The interaction of cold climate sites and varieties gives rise to flavours ranging between grapefruit, green apple, almonds and marzipan. Compelling complexity and length," James Halliday.
Chandon Whitlands Plateau Blanc de Blancs 2015 - 94 Points
"Kept in stainless steel or bottle throughout its elevage with no oak. It is pure chardonnay in the sense of its reservoir of flavours of white flowers, grapefruit, Granny Smith apple and spice," James Halliday.
Chandon Vintage Yarra Valley Cuvee 2016 - 93 Points
"74.7% chardonnay, 23% pinot noir and 2.3% pinot meunier. The bouquet is strikingly similar to poached pears, cream and cinnamon, the palate sticking tightly to this theme, its acidity balanced by the dosage of 6g/l. It spent over 48 months on yeast lees, all adding to the undoubted complexity," James Halliday.
Chandon Vintage Blanc de Noirs 2015 - 92 Points
"The pinot noir comes from the same vineyard as the Cuvee 205, plus some pinot meunier from a second vineyard in the Upper Yarra. The flavours are of wild strawberry, quince paste and multi-spice, all rolled together so that no single flavour dominates. Its low dosage of 3g/l and 42 months on lees are also parts of the jigsaw puzzle," James Halliday.
Chandon Brut Rosé - 92 Points
"A 60/40% blend of pinot noir and chardonnay. Principally sourced from the Yarra Valley, Strathbogie Ranges and the King Valley, with a surprisingly high yield of between 10t and 12t/ha. 6% of the blend is pinot noir fermented on skins; but the bright pink colour is counterintuitively not a sign of pinot noir (as here), but in cheap sparkling wines using grapes with highly coloured skins," James Halliday.
Chandon Brut - 90 Points
"The wine is assembled from individually harvested parcels dating back to '12 in the reserve wine that comprises 20% of the final blend bottled for the second ferment and ageing on yeast lees. It is well balanced, and reflects the skills and experience of Chandon Australia and - of course - the amazing library of the reserve. Reasonable pricing is a bonus," James Halliday.