2019 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Very disappointed in this wine. Not out taste at all"
Mrs Alexis Ward (20-Nov-2020)
"Fresh, but with very enjoyable buttery notes. Lightly oaked which comes through on the finish. Not much complexity to the wine, but for the price of £7.50 it is very good."
Dr Allegra Collins (27-Oct-2020)
"Look, it's just Chardonnay. End of. Lightly-oaked, fairly drinkable, but nothing special. It's a good price, but why add to the problem of global warming by encouraging people to ship such stuff half-way around the world? Get another good-value Chardonnay from France instead."
Mr David J Richards (17-Jun-2020)
"What starts off as a pleasant wine very quickly becomes thin and flavourless. It is so cheap, It was a trial and now I know that price even in the society means the same as everywhere, you get what you pay for. It has also taught me to depend on other peoples reviews!"
Mr Lawrence Clephane (06-Jun-2020)
"Well it is light , crisp and a taste of apples but of Chardonnay not a hint. It reminded me of the old Bulgarian Khan Krum, crisp clean but oh so dull , a far better choice and cheaper is the Limari from Chile, and the real thing from Macon is a completely different prospect altogether. In summary safe but rather ordinary, happy to be poured a glass at drinks do but there is more to wine than this even at £7."
Mr Michael Rhatigan (28-Apr-2020)
"Very disappointing quality for a Society wine. I'm an Aussie and a natural supporter of my home country's wine but this is barely BBQ quality. One part glass was enough for me. It's a shame that the Society and Wirra Wirra are associated with it."
Prof Tom Watson (17-Feb-2020)
2019 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
Daily Express (19th Sep 2020)
"Blended by Wirra
Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, this Australian chardonnay is crisp and
moreish without breaking the bank. Lightly oaked to give it a bit more texture,
it's cheap and cheerful enough to start your chardonnay journey. - Matt Nixson"
2018 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Lovely - will order again"
Mrs Abi Doring (15-Apr-2019)
"A clean and refreshing taste, body soft and round, but rather light. I felt the Society's White burgundy delivered more flavour for not much more cost."
Dr David Rickeard (15-Nov-2018)
2017 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
Mr Alex Downham (18-Jul-2018)
"I was going to add a description and a few words of explanation underpinning my score but Mr Atkinson pretty much covered it..."
Mr Johnny Holmes (21-Apr-2018)
"This is a very nice wine indeed and The Society have come up trumps again with this one. I have always avoided Australian Chardonnays because of their oaky, buttery 'cloying' ( to my palate) taste. This wine however, is bright, fresh tasting with nectarine/peach hints which is very drinkable even on its own and superb with chicken. A definite 'must' for me to reorder."
Mr James Atkinson (01-Apr-2018)
"I enjoyed this very much, excellent accompaniment to roast chicken, superb value, recommended."
Mr Chris Brinklow (27-Mar-2018)
2016 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
""Easy- drinking" this wine isn't - we found this to be really acidic, the green apple and citrus coming through as unripe Granny Smith and PLJ. Only drank 1/2 a glass each, the rest of the bottle relegated to cooking status. This is the second unwooded Aussie chardonnay I have tried recently (at a higher price point and not WS) and found really disappointing. May have to avoid from now on."
Mr Howard Arrowsmith (21-Dec-2016)
2016 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
yorkmix.com (2nd May 2017)
"The Wine Society’s
own label Australian Chardonnay 2016 hails from the cool, by Oz standards,
Adelaide region and is made by Wirra Wirra. Fresh and dry, it has classic
chardonnay flavours of green apple and citrus. File under ‘reasonably priced
quaffer for any day of the week’. - Mike Tipping"
Plymouth Herald (29th Apr 2017)
"Elaborated in the
hilly South Australian vineyards near to Adelaide it is a juicy wine without
the high alcohol-heady notes some of you might remember with trepidation. Retry
Chardonnay made like this - it's delicious! - Stephen Barrett"
Belfast Newsletter (4th Mar 2017)
"Wine of the
week: Light-bodied, vibrantly aromatic and gloriously refreshing … A bouquet
full of apple, pear and mineral scents leads to a smooth, citrusy palate
before a lingering, delightfully dry and slightly creamy finish. - Raymond Gleug"
Belfast Sunday Life (26th Feb 2017)
"This chardonnay is
made in the vineyards situated in McLaren Vale and the cooler climate Adelaide
Hills of Australia. It is a lovely dry, crisp and fresh chardonnay with lots of
green apple aromas and flavours and zingy citrus acidity and at 12.5% you could
enjoy a midweek glass or two without any repercussions. - Paula Gracey"
Portsmouth News (25th Feb 2017)
"
My top tipple this week … reminds me just why we
all fell in love with Aussie chardonnay in the first place. It's a
wonderfully fresh uncomplicated unoaked wine that literally leaps out of the
bottle. - Alistair Gibson
"
York Press (18th Feb 2017)
"... from the Wirra
Wirra Vineyards - an Aboriginal name meaning "among the gum trees" -
in the Adelaide sub-region of South Australia, which is known for its cooler
climate and rolling hills. This dry white is one for anybody who likes green
apples, with those notes overriding the hint of citrus. It's maybe a bit too
tart for our particular preferences, the apples being more Granny Smith than
Golden Delicious, but the texture offers balance and it gives "bang for
the buck" at £6.95. - Peter Martini"
Shropshire Star (15th Feb 2017)
"A crisp, fresh
chardonnay from the Adelaide sub-region of South Australia, known for its
cooler climate and rolling hills. This Society favourite is bursting with green
apples and citrus notes."
2015 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"A pleasant, easy drinking unoaked chardonnay. A safe wine to serve to a crowd on a summers evening."
Dr Brian Carr (17-Jul-2016)
"Very pleased with this modern and crisp Chardonnay- a far cry from the heavy, oaky wines of old. Has a pleasing intensity without being overbearing. As usual, great value."
Dr Robin W D Mitchell (19-Apr-2016)
2014 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"This is splendid - simple, tropical and fruity. Great value for money."
Mr Nicholas Treby (05-Aug-2015)
2013 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Could be us but seemed very variable - we ordered a case hoping that it would be like Scrubby Rise: some bottles nearly made it with a lovely fresh taste of unoaked chardonnay, full, zesty, almost sweet but without too much vanilla, other bottles tasted of very little. Odd."
Dr Brian Murray (18-Jun-2014)
2012 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"An exceedingly boring wine. Nothing to commend it. Described as unoaked but I swear I detect a touch of oak - and I spent my working life importing oz wine."
Mr Bill Riley (04-Dec-2013)
"I have to agree with Mr. Crafts (12-Jun). Australia used to produce some of the most interesting good value wine at each price point, but apparently since the appreciation of the Australian Dollar that is no longer possible. For me, lacking in character, uninteresting and with almost nothing to recommend it. The Society has so many better wines at this price."
Mr Peter Holpin (04-Dec-2013)
"As a fan of unoaked Chardonnay gave this a go before seeing review by fellow member earlier in June. Have to say rather enjoyed this well priced wine, good body and loads of fruit. However would not agree with Socy' comment it is 'dry' as I found it a tad sweet but not unpleasant. Good balance, would even say well made. Perhaps a good patio summer wine with starters rather than a special occasion. May not be on my reorder list but more than happy with the purchase. I think it is very healthy to have different views about wine; it is all down to personal taste in the end."
Mr Terence Eastham (25-Jun-2013)
"In our view, very mediocre - rather acidic & rough with no discernible pleasant taste. Just about managed to drink it, rather than pour it down the sink & waste £6.75. Disappointed in the Wine Society's gurus allowing their label to be put on this bottle!"
Mr John K Crafts (12-Jun-2013)
2011 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"Clean fruit flavours, very refreshing and quite a bargain."
Mr Ron Chance (01-Jul-2012)
2011 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS
Woman & Home (1st Feb 2013)
"It's a sign of how much Aussie Chardonnays have changed that one from a warm climate can be unoaked and light bodied. This has lovely stone fruit flavours underpinned by zesty acidity.- Tim Atkin"
2008 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS
"I usually prefer oaked Chardonnays but I must say that I found this one very drinkable and well described in your list. Reasonably priced too - I shall buy more"
Dr Roger W Brimblecombe (02-Sep-2009)