2009 CHARDONNAY
HUON HOOKE, GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE
February/March 2012
Medium yellow and quite rich in the mouth, this junior Toolangi chardonnay has some of the showy hazelnut and nougat style of the Reserve. There's a hint of funk, and the dense, soft, rewarding palate is kept tight and lively by tangy acidity. Made at Yering Station.
CELLAR TALK, HUON HOOKE, Good Living, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 January 2012
WINE OF THE WEEK
Garry and Julie Hounsell's Toolangi has emerged as one of the Yarra's most serious chardonnay players, with three, sometimes four, levels of chardonnay. This is their entry-level wine. It's a rich, soft rewarding wine with classic chardonnay amplitude but also the typical finesse of the region. Medium yellow colour, creamed hazelnut, nougat and subtly funky complexities, starting to show the beginnings of mellow maturity. Good acidity keeps the wine tight and compact in the mouth. A lovely drink and good value. Drink now to two or three years. 13.2 per cent alcohol. 90/100 Food: Roast chicken with cream or butter sauces; pan-friend fish meuniere or with beurre blanc or hollandaise; seafood pasta or risotto; creamy brie or camembert.
HUON HOOKE, www.huonhooke.com, 17 November 2011
Medium yellow colour. Developed and fairly mature bouquet of creamy hazelnut, nougat and some funky aspects. Quite complex and mellowing. Rich and soft in mouth, tight tangy acidity in a full and richly flavoured setting. Nice wine and quite layered.
NICK STOCK, THE AGE GOOD WINE GUIDE 2012
The entry tier for Toolangi is a ripe stone-fruit and quite opulent style, delivering the full fruit salad on the nose. The palate's quite juicy and bright, then crisp melon and peach flavours give way to a gently smoky finish; cashew and hazelnut to close.
CHRIS SHANAHAN, CANBERRA TIMES & www.chrisshanahan.com, 23 November 2011
Garry and Julie Hounsell own the Toolangi vineyard but also source grapes from other Yarra sites controlled by their own viticulturist. They outsource the winemaking, in this instance to Willy Lunn at nearby Yering Station. It’s a fine, restrained, delicious example of modern cool-climate chardonnay – with the focus on white-peach-like varietal flavour subtly adorned with the structural and flavour inputs of barrel fermentation and maturation.
JAMES HALLIDAY, AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION
2012 Edition
Vivid green hue; the bouquet shows ripe nectarine, straw, fresh fig and grilled cashew; the palate is generous and rich on entry, yet remains light on its feet, with tangy acidity drawing the parts together on the savoury finish.
Rating 92. To 2015.
