While this is very much in the style of the Grosset Piccadilly Chardonnays, the 2005 shows the benefit of an outstanding vintage in the Adelaide Hills. As recent vintages have shown, there is superb integration of fruit and gentle cedary oak, in this case, giving the wine a fragrant lift. The palate shows the restraint and characteristic of the Piccadilly early in its life with pure white peach, nectarine and grapefruit flavours (as well as a hint of ripe melon and cashew nuts). It has been given a degree of complexity by minerally, savoury characters that linger.
The structure is typically tight and very fine, the texture creamy and viscous, and there is a youthful power and vibrance, almost an exuberance, that gives the wine impeccable balance. The 2005 Piccadilly Chardonnay has an approachability that few examples of the wine have. It will still improve significantly with a year or two in the cellar when it will show greater complexity and a more overt flavour profile. Those who like more developed chardonnay can enjoy the wine at its peak (at about five years of age) although, well cellared, it will live for longer.
The Grosset Piccadilly Chardonnay 2005 vinatge fruit was hand picked, barrel fermented in French barriques and then left to mature in those barrels for nearly twelve months, followed by a further twelve months in bottle before release.
