In 1912, Joseph Osborn purchased several established vineyards planted in the previous century. Cellars were built in 1928, and the wine was sold throughout the country. In the late 1950s, d'Arry Osborn took control of the winery. His enormous flair and focus on quality brought considerable recognition to the d'Arenberg winery, one of the first cult wines on the Australian market. The distinctive color scheme—a diagonal red stripe—gave the brand a significant boost in the market. By maintaining an emphasis on traditional winemaking and nurturing their old vines, the Osborn clan successfully established itself as one of the leading producers of concentrated wines with character.
The name of this Chardonnay refers to the olive trees that thrived in McLaren Vale in the 1840s. These trees line the roads, grow in gardens, and occasionally even smack in the middle of the Chardonnay vineyard. And the olive trees even block the harvester. Harvesting is therefore done both mechanically and by hand. The small batches of grapes are gently crushed, cooled, and then pressed into the basket. To add complexity and mouthfeel, the wine is fermented and aged for seven months in French oak.
This d'Arenberg Chardonnay is a delightfully drinkable wine, bursting with aromas of peach, pineapple, and citrus. We also detected a hint of oak in the background. The palate is fresh yet has a delightful creaminess. Lingering acidity, a hint of grapefruit, and a touch of nuts complete the finish of this stunning Chardonnay. Accessible when young, serve it moderately chilled, but not too cold, to fully appreciate the generosity of the flavors and mouthfeel.
