Willow Bridge G1-10 Chardonnay 2011

May 12, 2013

Willow Bridge G1-10 Chardonnay 2011 (Geographe, WA)
13%, Screwcap, $30
Source: Sample
www.willowbridge.com.au

It’s not often you see a bible reference on a wine these days. Maybe that means I’m not drinking enough biblical wines…

The ‘G1-10’ name here is a nod to the book of Genesis. Chapter 1, Verse 10:
‘And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called the seas; and God saw that it was good’

Read of that what you will. I’m guessing that it’s a nod to how pretty the ‘dry land’ and ‘seas’ are. Geographe is an attractive part of the world for that matter, with great local fruit a highlight (had some superb roadside cherries in Geographe once).

Now, this Chardonnay – it’s hand picked, whole bunch pressed and wild fermented, matured for 10 months in barrel with a portion going through malo.

It’s a rather full white, with pangs of Margaret River grapefruits and peaches coupled with a little of the more nutty Pemberton edge. A sunny, ripe style, yet not fat, this has a very modern, gently toasty, leesy influenced palate, with a clever balance of lees and oak weight with firm acidity. If anything this looks a little ‘made’ but the firm acidity keeps that in check.

Certainly sexier than the region’s reputation would normally suggest, this is genuinely good stuff.

Drink: 2013-2017
Score: 17.7/20 92/100
Would I buy it? I’d drink several glasses. So yes.

2011, Chardonnay, Geographe, Wine

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

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2 responses to “Willow Bridge G1-10 Chardonnay 2011”

Anonymous

May 16, 2013 at 3:08 am

Thanks again Andrew,
We get a bit defensive about the name of this wine as well – in these PC times, it isn't that cool to use biblical references, but we were looking for something which tied together the importance of the influence of our dirt and maritime climate on the quality of Chardonnay in the SW. It could have come from Star Wars or Dr Seuss, but it was the best storyline we could think of. At the risk of looking like a complete tosser, I'll quote our own propaganda:
"..we have given our Chardonnay a name; G1-10. We quite liked the technical sound of this (a Chardonnay clone? a cultured yeast?), but it is in fact Biblical. From Genesis 1-10: 'And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas: and God saw that it was good.' Now we aren't pushing creationism or any 'isms' here, but with a vineyard in some prime earth and with sea views from the winery, we reckon we know how he must have felt and just liked the simplicity of it. Sitting on a hill staring out to sea at the end of the day with a nice glass of Chardonnay in hand, it really is…..good."
Cheers,
Simon

Reply
1. ozwinereview
  
  May 16, 2013 at 4:44 am
  
  Love that last line. 'It really is… good'. Honest! Good
  
  Reply