Not part of the in-crowd since 2005!

Lindeman Bin 65 Chardonnay 2006 ($10)

Yes, this is the same Bin 65 that sells nigh-on impossible volumes year after year and is often international drinkers’ first brush with the “sunshine in a bottle” style of Australian chardonnay. No doubt it’s a big seller, but as a drink, what’s it like? Will it ever capture the imagination of “serious” wine drinkers? I my mind, the answers to this question are (in no order) “probably not” and “serious bang for your buck”. The wine’s aroma is vividly defined with broad strokes of banana, pineapple and other tropical fruits with a touch of oak-derived coconutiness thrown in for good measure. In the mouth, a dab of acidity acts as the perfect binding agent for those stonefruit and coconut characters with those oaky characters lingering right throughout the finish. It’s a nice, forward drop and when you consider the meager asking prices this can be picked up for, it’s easy to see why this is such a stand out in its weight division – it certainly stood out in the blind tasting it was lined up in with every member of the panel giving it the thumbs up. Going to a friend’s for a barbie? Save the LEAS, Pierro, Voyager Estates and other Margaret River chardys for another occasion and grab a bottle or two of this on the way there. It’s sure to be a hit and at least you’re guaranteed a drop with some varietal chardonnay characters. www.lindemans.com.au