Rosemount Estate, Diamond Label Chardonnay (vintage 2004) is an Australian wine by which I was impressed when a fried of mine invited mi to a party some time ego. Before that day I used to say: there is no good wine but French. All the New World wines were only cheap addition to proper French staff.
History
There isn't much history behind Rosemount Estate as you would expect typical New World progress. Rosemount is owned by Oatley family and Southcorp company. Bob Oatley founded the Estate in 1969. In over 30 years (just) has established itself as one of Australia's leading wineries, producing a selection of wines from the Diamond Label through Hill of Gold, Show Reserve and Premium ranges, up to the top cuvees. The Diamond Label range is the entry level for Rosemount wines, it consists of: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Semillon.
The Rosemount wines were introduced to UK market in earlier '90 and successfully established its position, especially Chardonnay thank to rich texture and standard application of American oak.
Bottle
As for the New World the bottle of Chardonnay is much different to traditionally looking bottle of a French wine. There is no foil on top of the bottle and the cork is made of plastic with a wax seal on top of it. The plastic corks do not downgrade the taste and smell of the wine, on the contrary seals bottles much better than traditional cork and prevents wine from going corked.
The colour of the bottle is light green with letter R on the top part it. The Label colours are yellow and red with black and golden letter and Rosemount Estate Crest. Overall look is nice and gives you feeling of something well prepared and quite special.
Wine
After pouring the wine into a glass you find that he colour is bright straw yellow, lighter than most white wines, with some small bubbles on the walls of the glass.
Smell (nose): there are some tropical fruit and a hint of citrus with oak barrel nuance.
Taste: nice, fantastic; tropical fruits with hint of peach and citrus, and obvious presence of oak.
Alcohol volume: 13.5% - quite normal.
Best drinking time: until 2007.
I would suggest the wine as perfect Aperitif, for evening receptions with seafood and salads, with light meal as fish or pasta.
Price: at Majestic or Oddbins you expect to pay app. £7.50 a bottle, not cheap but truly worth the money. I couldn't find the wine in my local Asda and Morrison so I thing isn't widely available.
Recommendation
Churchill, would you recommend the wine? Ooo, yes! So would I. It's fantastic, refreshing wine. Good for friends visit or important family evening or even for romantic night with someone special. It's much better that some of French chardonnay wines in the same range of price. The wine truly amassed me from the first sip as much as I always stock few bottles of the wine for special occasions or for myself when I feel like.
Thank you for reading and good luck.
Pictures of Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Chardonnay
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