Ocean 8 Mike Aylward 2019 Chardonnay

Mornington Peninsula wines used to be sort of patchy. Unripe. Green. Thin.

Lucky for all, those ripening and shaky winemaking problems have been 99% resolved. (Hello global warming?)

Nowadays, cruising around Mornington wineries almost never turns up a dud.

One of its local stars, Mike Aylward, crafts outstanding wines at his tiny Ocean 8 winery.

With clear Burgundian influence, his Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays exhibit the same finesse, refined and memorable graces great Burgundies show.

This 2019 Chardonnay is a cracker!

Subtle toasted oak notes rise up first, followed quickly by ripe pear, stone fruits and bouquet garnie herbs. 

Mouthfeel is like silk on soft skin. Finish lingers long enough to fill all memory files.

With superb wines like this, it's worth lashing out with food matches.

Crayfish? Butter? A bit of garlic? A grill?

Scampi sautéed in basil infused olive oil spread over fresh tagliolini pasta with Grana Padano?

Abalone in a master stock with dried shitake? 

Roast chicken with porcini butter slipped under the breast skin?

John Dory fillets fried in butter resting atop a caponata?

You could choose a hunk of Parmigiano Reggiano, a bit of best sourdough and a big glass.

This is a wine for aficionados and those who happily see Holy Grail and Burgundy sharing the same sentence.