Wolf Blass built its name on the show circuit of Australian wine, and Gold Label sits in the middle of the range: a step up from the everyday bottlings, made to show what South Australia can do with Chardonnay. The fruit comes from across the state's wine regions rather than a single vineyard, which is how a house style stays consistent from year to year.
- Chardonnay, 100%, from South Australia.
- 2018 vintage, a warm and generous year.
- Full bodied, dry, medium acidity.
- 13.5% alcohol, 750ml.
How it is made
Chardonnay is the most adaptable white grape there is. Grown warm, it turns ripe and broad; the winemaker's decisions in the cellar then shape the rest. Barrel fermentation and time on lees are the usual route to the creamy texture and vanilla oak that define this style of Australian Chardonnay.
How it tastes
Stone fruit and citrus at the front, melon underneath, then vanilla oak and a creamy weight through the middle. Full bodied and dry, with medium acidity holding the shape. The oak sits on the finish rather than over it.
Where it comes from
South Australia is the country's engine room for Chardonnay, and the state's regions vary enormously: Adelaide Hills for cooler, tighter wines, Barossa and McLaren Vale for richer ones. A multi-region blend draws on that range deliberately, using the warmer sites for weight and the cooler ones for freshness.
Good to know
Wolf Blass took its name to the international stage through the 1970s and 1980s, when Australian wine was still a novelty in most export markets. Gold Label was created as a tier between the entry-level Grey Label and the flagship Black Label, and it has stayed in the range ever since.
