Museum Release Chenin Blanc 2009 | Shop

The Marri Wood Park 2009 Reserve Chenin Blanc is a rare wine, made under the watchful eye of legendary winemaker Bob Cartwright, with a specific wish to be age-worthy.

It now has spent over 14 years in the bottle, and is ageing beautifully.   A fantastic example of how graceful and long-lived great Chenin Blanc can be, it is sparkling mid-gold in the glass, bright and intense on the nose, and still looks super-tight. 

Showing the beginnings of developed aromas on the nose, this is a joyfully complex wine to unpack - there is everything from grapefruit pith to lemon curd and struck flint, with hints of seaspray and bees wax. 

The palate is equally interesting, showing an amazing line of crisp, seamless acid, backed up by notes of lime curd, complex, flinty toast notes, and herbaceous notes of dried sage and thyme. The finish is as you would expect - long, elegant and well balanced with many years yet to go.

Read the full Tasting Note here.

AWARDS & REVIEWS

Decanter - Cassandra Charlick - 95points

"A lovely example of an aged Chenin, crafted biodynamically by winemaker Bob Cartwright.  Luscious honeyed nutty notes of redgum and toasted almond.  There is so much going on here.  Layers of nougat, hints of gasoline, sweet honeysuckle blossom, heady perfume and yet still a delightful freshness.  There's life and lift, zesty and zippy bursts reminiscent of the little puff of citrus oil when slicing into a perfectly ripe lemon.  A lovely crushed gravel and wet stone minerality too.  The palate is bone dry, savoury and juicy with crystalline fruit.  Mouthwatering in its concentration and tension of salinity and acid.  Detailed, layered, textured and lively.  It feels like the first ocean dip of the Summer.  A vibrant tangle of salt and fresh seaweed umami flavours.  Drinking perfectly now." 

Halliday Wine Companion - Jane Faulkner

"As expected, there’s a gold tinge of age yet still bright and lively in colour and on the palate. Actually, it’s still racy. No shortage of acidity, really tangy with buttered toast and poached pears, baked ricotta and, despite the acidity, I would enjoy this now or in the next couple of years. Back then, the wine was made by Bob Cartwright, ex-Leeuwin Estate."

The Real Review - Gabrielle Poy

"Medium lemon in colour with tertiary notes of leather and honey mixed with baked fennel and apples. The palate is fresh and fine, the acidity high and long, and it's still quite restrained and chiselled. This is developing nicely for a finer-styled Chenin: it's still brimming with life and acidity."  

Gold Medal - Australian Chenin Blanc Challenge