Pamukkale Nodus Chardonnay 2016
I’ve posted several reviews semi-recently from the Pamukkale Nodus line including the Nodus Fumé Blanc and Nodus Cabernet Sauvignon. The sudden frequency of the posts has more to do with trying to clear out old notes than it does a suddenly discovered love for the series.
Pamukkale has never been a favorite winery of mine. However, even I must admit (and not even grudgingly) that the Nodus line’s price and quality find a fair balance. Well, before the recent inflation-driven price hikes they did anyway. Now it’s anyone’s guess. And, based on my experience, none of the Nodus wines get overwhelmed with oak. Particularly vital in this case for people like me who don’t love a lot of oak on their white wines!
Pamukkale Nodus Chardonnay, 2016
Pamukkale mainly grows grapes in the Denizli area of the eastern Aegean. The Chardonnay comes from its vineyards there at 750 meters in limestone-dominate soils. The wine’s back label tells us that the wine fermented in new French oak, underwent daily battonage for six months, then aged in French oak a further 10 months. Imagine my horror and trepidation when I opened this. So. Much. Oak.
The deep, warm lemon color of the wine in the glass did nothing to ease my trepidation that I might be about to drink an oak bomb instead of wine.
But then… rich caramel crème brûlée silkily wrapped around a core of ripe pear, quince, and orange with white flower and spice details and firm acidity. A flinty streak along with lemon peel on the finish. Full-bodied with 14% abv, it was not nearly as oaky as I’d feared. A good reminder to always try things even when the description is a little off-putting!