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2007 'Alexander Munro' Chardonnay Wine Notes

2007 'Alexander Munro' Chardonnay

Wine Notes

Region: Hunter Valley

Background: Alexander Munro was winemaker, Rhys Eather’s great-great-grandfather and these true reserve wines are released only in years that reflect the status of the label. The 2000 vintage was the Trophy winner at the 2000 Hunter Valley Wine Show for current vintage Chardonnay.

Fruit Source: The wine is made from fruit harvested off a 40-year-old Chardonnay block on the ‘Casuarina’ Estate vineyard in Pokolbin which shares the same sandy soils as the iconic HVD vineyard.

Fermentation & Maturation: Handpicked fruit was whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented in French oak barriques of which 35% were new. After 6 months maturation and no malolactic fermentation allowed we bottled in August 2007 under screwcap.

Winemakers Comments: 2007 was a very warm vintage that surprisingly produced great Chardonnay fruit. This vintage sees a style change, mainly in that malolactic fermentation was retarded in barrel allowing the retention of as much natural acid as possible.

It has classic Chardonnay fruit characters of white peach and fig with the addition of an underlying citrus freshness. The French oak has imparted some complexity with the wine   showing lovely cashew nut and spicy oak nuances.

Cellaring: Medium  term. 5—8 years.


What the experts say

“Aromas of lemon rind, peach and matchstick with cashew nut and ginger spice oak. On the palate medium to full bodied with intense flavours of peach, grapefruit and lemon rind backed with spicy ginger oak and a little bit of struck match. It has penetrating mouth-watering acidity, a light slightly chalky texture and a little warmth. Finishes long and dry with a tangy preserved lemon aftertaste. There is a fair bit of free sulphur floating about at the moment that needs to settle, but this really is an excellent chardonnay”.92+ Points.

Gary Walsh—Winorama—September 2007

"This is a prime example of the new style of Hunter chardonnay - fresh, crisp, smoky and boosted with a quick injection of quality oak (it must have only been in oak for a few months). In my books it tastes great. Crisp, lemony, peachy and clean, the finish tangy and refreshing. Excellent. Drink: 2008-2013. 92 points".

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front - 4th February 2008

"Impressive Hunter chardonnay; melon and white peach fruit; good line and length, the oak well-balanced and integrated. To 2013." Rating 92.

James Halliday - 2009 Wine Companion

Other vintages:   2009    2008    2003    2002    2000  

Latest News

2010 Hunter Valley Wine Show

20 Aug 2010

Meerea Park has had another successful Hunter Valley Wine Show winning 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 8 Bronze medals. 2010 is the 8th year in a row that we have won at least one Gold medal in this Wine Show. 

Below are the medal winning wines.

2004 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Gold - Class 15
2007 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Gold - Class 27
2006 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Gold - Class 32
1999 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Silver - Class 22
2009 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Silver - Class 32
2010 Verdelho - Bronze - Class 6
2009 'XYZ' Semillon - Bronze - Class 10
2009 'XYZ' Chardonnay - Bronze - Class 11
2006 'Howard Vineyard' Shiraz - Bronze - Class 13
2005 'Terracotta' Semillon - Bronze - Class 15
2006 'Alexander Munro' Shiraz - Bronze - Class 31
2008 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Bronze - Class 32
2009 'Alexander Munro' Chardonnay - Bronze - Class 33

2011 Australian Wine Companion

29 Jul 2010

The 2011 edition of James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion was released yesterday with Meerea Park again being very highly awarded. Below is a summary of the ratings with the full reviews available at each individual wine's page.

2005 'Terracotta' Semillon - 96
2007 'Alexander Munro' Shiraz - 96
2008 'XYZ' Shiraz - 95
2009 'Hell Hole' Semillon - 94
2005 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - 94
2007 'Hell Hole' Shiraz - 94
2007 'Terracotta' Shiraz - 94
1999 'Alexander Munro' Shiraz - 94
2007 'The Aunts' Shiraz - 93
2008 Shiraz - 93
2009 'Alexander Munro' Chardonnay - 93
2009 'XYZ' Chardonnay - 93
2009 'XYZ' Semillon - 90

View all the recent news

Latest Releases

2010 Verdelho

2010 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Shiraz

2005 'Alexander Munro' Semillon

2005 'Terracotta' Semillon

2008 'XYZ' Shiraz

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Latest Reviews

"Today, Meerea Park's wines are some of the finest in the region, in fact the whites are some of the best of their type in the country".

Tim White - Australian Financial Review - 14th August 2009


"Delicious green-gold colour. Perfect mix of primary and secondary flavours. Hay, lanolin, lemon zest and lime. Great complexity. Great freshness. Length is good. The marvel of good Hunter Valley semillon? This is an example."Rated : 93 Points

Campbell Mattinson - The Winefront - 3rd September 2010

2002 'Alexander Munro' Semillon


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