The Wine Blokes

I was given a bottle of a very inconspicuous Chardonnay the other night by a mate and told to try it and report back. I knew there was something going on when he handed it to me with a broad smirk. Anyway I took it home and tried it over dinner.

Romney Park is an extremely small producer of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Merlot from Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hill, just behing the welll known Shaw & Smith Winery. It’s so small, that I couldn’t even find a bottle shot anywhere to add to this post. Hence my dodgy attempt using my mobile phone (right).

Sometimes though, great things come in small packages, and the 2006 Romney Park Chardonnay is certainly that.  I was struck immediately by the refinements and delicate nose of this wine, but at the same time it was quite powerful.

Great citrus and lime type characters with nice intergrated oak that to me seem just right. The palate again was very refined and even a little tight, but showed just enough of it’s structure and depth to prove it worth. I really loved this wine. It just has great balance, and a modern slant with uniqueness.  Apparently I’m not the only one. Cheong Liew’s served Romney Park at his Long Table dinner at the Hilton in May.  In a round about way, it’s how I found this wine. The mate who gave me a bottle was at the dinner, and was so impressed by the wines he visited the winery recently and purchased as much as he could.

It’s funny becasue the Romeny Park vineyard is literally just over the hill from where we live, but you wouldn’t even know it was there, but taste the wine, and you’ll never forget it.

For more information, you can visit their website: http://www.romneyparkwines.com.au/