The fruit for the Chook Raffle Chardonnay is sourced from Australia’s premier cool-climate wine region, Adelaide Hills. Situated in the Mount Lofty Ranges at an altitude of 2300 feet, this region is ideally suited for crisp Chardonnay. Shoofly’s Chook Raffle Chardonnay is made in a fresh, crisp style that is perfect for early drinking. A small portion of the wine was matured in older French oak to add complexity, aromatics and texture.

Tasting notes

The famous Aussie "Chook Raffle” is the weekly fundraising raffle where for a buck, you might win a frozen chook (chicken) or just about anything the organizer can scrounge up! Shoofly’s Adelaide Hills Chardonnay is crafted with a touch more care, using carefully ripened fruit with just a touch of oak and a dash of Riesling and Verdelho to give bright, juicy flavors reminiscent of grapefruit and melon. On the nose, this zippy Chardonnay offers aromas of tropical fruit, peaches and melon while on the palate; grapefruit and lemon zest are complemented by zingy acidity. This youthful wine is drinking great now and will develop more complexity over the next 3 years.

Review

International Wine Cellar 07/01/2009, 88 points, “Pale gold. Exotic tropical and pit fruits on the nose^^ Wine Advocate 12/15/2009, 87 points, “The 2008 Chook Raffle is 100% Chardonnay which was partially barrel-fermented. It is a spicy^^ Wine Enthusiast 11/01/2009, 88 points/Editors’ Choice, “This Chardonnay from the cool-climate Adelaide Hills offers plenty to like for the price: hints of toast and vanilla frame fruit that ranges from grilled peaches and pears to ripe melons. Round without being overly rich^^ Wine Spectator 11/30/2009, 89 points, “Taut and distinctive for its range of pear

Technical notes

14.0% abv