Hardy's "Stamp of Australia" Chardonnay
Winery: Thomas Hardy & Sons, Reynella, S.A.
Style: Dry White
Year: 2002
Price Range: $10 and up
Rating: 7.5/10

Here's a Chardonnay from Australia's largest wine producer whose labels include Reynell, Kamberra, and Banrock Station among others. The Hardy's "Stamp of Australia" brand is their budget entry in the realm of varietals, and includes wines offered in value oriented 3 litre paper casks. The wine reviewed here comes from the standard 1.5 litre glass bottle.

I've never much cared for the affordably priced Banrock Station Chardonnay found in regular bottles and this jug cousin is pretty similar in taste. Its deep golden color in the glass points to a generous amount of oak that easily over rides the citrus and melon flavors. If you prefer a fruitier chard, as I do, you"re apt not to be too fond of this one. On the other hand, if oak is your thing you may want to give this wine an extra rating point. Either way, it's a pretty good jug.

~ bubba