Friend brought round two older Yarra Valley whites to a Vietnamese restaurant for dinner.
(He bought them new and they've been cellared in an airconditioned, humidified cellar).
Both corks in perfect condition, no ullage.
Yarra Yering !997 Chardonnay - well past its peak. Gold hues, appley, slightly oxidised nose. Soft on the palate, faint fino flavours along with dried pear. Lacked acid balance.
Yarra Yering 1998 Dry White No. 1. Semillon and sauvignon blanc blend. Almost water pale in colour. Lifted nose of dried grasses, with a hint of lemon zest. Light, elegant, steely dry palate. Beautifully structured, fruit starting to develop secondary vinous characters. Lip-smacking finish of almost perfect acid balance. If tasted blind my first guess would have been "Fine French dry style."
One of the best whites I've had in a year.
Ian Hoare will no doubt recall the style from his visit to YY.
Cheers!
Martin