Chardonnay

Lands Mid July This new project has given us the opportunity to enjoy making another Macedon Ranges Chardonnay, this time from the north of the region on granite soil. The grapes come from 25 year old vines and the wine is made in the usual Bindi way; 100% wild yeast barrel fermentation, 30% new oak, and ageing for ten months on solids and lees. The wine is bright and combines citrus, white flowers, nectarine and complex nutty/mealy elements. The palate is fresh, tight, chalky, gently creamy and intense. It will gain increased texture and complexity with five years cellaring and be delicious beyond.

Wine Front 94 points. "Bindi hasn’t put a step wrong in its dual-generation existence, and continues on a righteous path of unswerving attention to vineyard, gentle application of winemaking, great thought in every aspect of wine-vine life. Michael Dhillon would have to be one of the youngest professorial wine thinkers going around. Bindi’s legend and legacy is well on its way, as we know. Here’s another release to admire over time. A nice mesh of lemon lime, floral notes, peanut brittle, ginger in the bouquet. All understated, all good. Palate is light and juicy, bright, crisp, shows some good fruitiness, a touch of...

James Suckling 93 points. Very rich here with attractively flinty, peach and lemon aromas that lead to a powerful and fresh palate with a sleek, fluid and very juicy impression. Great balance. JS. Winemaker Notes An intense, mineral wine fully ripe but lean, taught and intense with savoury, creamy elements. Fragrant notes of orange blossom, nectarine stone, spice and subtle nuttiness are usual with a vibrant, tight, long palate highlighted by clean acidity, wonderful texture and fine length.

Wine Companion 96 points. While Quartz gets the bow for its complexity and depth, Kostas Rind is no slouch. A lovely balance of citrus, white stone fruit, ginger spice and a touch of nutty lees that are more like seasoning, same with the oak influence. There’s a lightness and purity with some complex sulphides and ultra-refreshing acidity. Very satisfying. Utterly enticing. 96 points. Jane Faulkner Published 16 August 2022 WINERY NOTE: The 2020 Kostas Rind spent 10 months on yeast lees in French barrels, of which 25% are new, and was bottled in mid February. Typical and distinctive aromas of grapefruit and lemon with jasmine blossom...

I love the story of this wine, named after Kostas Rind, teacher, mentor and friend of Michael Dhillon’s father, Bill – more details on the back label. And I love the contents within, particularly this vintage. Richly filled with stone fruit, spiced lemon, frangipane-lined lime tart, plus spices. Neat acidity keeps check of the palate, which has depth, some weight and very good length. 96 points. Jane Faulkner Published 10 July 2023   An intense, mineral wine fully ripe but lean, taught and intense with savoury, creamy elements. Fragrant notes of orange blossom, nectarine stone, spice and subtle nuttiness are usual with a...

Less that 20% of the usual volume made. This wine is made without additions of yeast, nutrients or enzymes. Once the juice is in the barrel a small amount of sulphur is added and then we wait, usually about five days, for the fermentation to begin. The wine spent 10 months on yeast lees in French barrels, of which 25% were new, and was bottled in late February. Typical and distinctive aromas of grapefruit and lemon with jasmine blossom lift from the glass and with time gently creamy and savoury/spicy aromas emerge. The palate is full, fresh, chalky, zesty, harmonious and quite smooth. It’s early days and five years of careful cellaring...

The word ‘quartz’ adorns a couple of my favourite wines from all over the globe, now I think of it. Quartz is the strength in the soils of the best chardonnay bits of Bindi’s garden too. And here, another magnificent release. Alas, not tasted with Michael Dhillon as has been a habit at times. If you want to look up ‘complexity; wine’ or ‘premium wine’ or ‘fucking awesome’ in a dictionary then I suggest a picture of this bottle accompanies. It’s impressive from the first whiff of fragrance, all rich, fresh, savoury, fruit driven, saline and slate minerally, and just so darn...

James Suckling 97 points "Very fresh and intense aromas of lemons, peaches, hazelnuts and white florals are delivered with striking definition and purity here. The palate is impressively layered, long and powerful with a pithy core of lemon and yellow-grapefruit flavors, as well as peach, honey and hazelnut. Pristine, long and powerful finish with great focus. Drink or hold. Screw cap." James Halliday Wine Companion 97 points. From vines planted 1988. Vineyard at 500m elevation, tended by hand. From a 0.5 ha area where the quartz in the soil is at its greatest. Yields typically 3.5–5 t/ha. Wild-yeast fermentation, unsettled...

Yields were down, but not quality. The depth of flavour emanating from Quartz leaves me in awe. It’s layered and rich, yet not heavy. Fuller bodied, with lemon, poached fruit and spiced with ginger flower and powder. Long and pure, with the oak flavoursome and knitted well into the body of the wine. It is complete and approachable now, but will garner even more complexity in time. 96 points. Jane Faulkner for James Halliday Wine Companion, Published 27 May 2022 WINERY NOTE: At the upper end of the Chardonnay planting, where the quartz incidence in the soil is the greatest the fruit has extra complexity, finesse and intensity. This wine...

I had to stop tasting this wine. There was no point going any further. It’s so contemplative, complex and exquisite, it demands respect and time to watch it morph and thus drink. So I did on both accounts. It unfurls in a savoury manner with smokin’ sexy sulphides, yeah really, with a minerally crunch to the acidity that leads to such a long finish. Creamy miso paste and grilled cashew lees bolster the palate, there’s some lemon saline tang and so much more. Respect, Michael Dhillon. Respect. 97 points. Jane Faulkner Published 02 August 2023

A fine chardonnay that effortlessly melds a mineralic discipline with a slippery generosity. Stone fruits a go go, orange blossom and tangerine ply a multitude of accents across a bone of transparent acidity. Ginger spice, too, crystalline and nicely offset by a creamed core of leesy nourishment imparting cashew, nougat and oatmeal notes. All well embedded. Good pulse and fine length. 93 points. Ned Goodwin MW Published 18 June 2021.   A deliciously mineral and slippery drink. An array of citrus and complexity lined with a fantastic backbone of acidity. Perhaps a bottle to be consumed by yourself. The vineyard was planted by the Calvert...

COLOUR Light straw with golden tints. AROMA The nose displays aromas of orange blossom and ripe, vibrant stone fruits. PALATE The palate is wonderfully balanced with juicy nectarine, lime, warm subtle oak spice and a fine natural acidity. CELLARING This wine will be best enjoyed within five years of release. VINTAGE The 2021 vintage was idyllic and brought with it ideally timed rainfall and ripening season temperatures tracking long-term averages. Higher yields and cooler conditions lent delicious natural acidity and produced Chardonnay of outstanding quality in this region. WINEMAKING Fruit was 100% hand picked and pressed directly to...

James Halliday 95 points. "Estate-grown, hand-picked, whole-bunch-pressed, wild-fermented in French barriques (30% new), matured for 9 months. Bright, light straw-green; white peach, melon and pink grapefruit on the bouquet, moving to a grapefruit-driven palate with cool climate regalia. Delicious and fresh." 95 Points colour Beautiful light straw colour, highlighted by golden tints, bright and shiny. aroma The perfume is intoxicating with its hints of oatmeal, peach and honey; also that ever-elusive character of stuck match stick. The vanilla spice is beautiful, yes it's all there - in wonderful harmony. palate The palate is...

Real Review 92 points..... "Quite powerful in the classic Margaret River way but has ample fresh fruit and saline minerals to balance that. .... A lot of bang for buck here." Stuart Knox; Real Review.   COLOUR Pale straw with a golden hue. AROMA White flowers, nectarine and lemon peel aromas with warm toasty almond biscuit. PALATE This wine displays juicy white peach flavours with an underlying citrus freshness. This is a medium bodied Chardonnay with vibrant notes of candied lime peel and rich roasted cashews CELLARING This wine may be enjoyed on release but will find further complexity with two to three of years ageing....

GLOBAL FINE WINE CHALLENGE 2022 Trophy, Best Chardonnay. Trophy, White Wine of Show. JAMES SUCKLING - 98 points, -Best Australian Wine 2022, - # 20 Best Value Wine Globally, - # 25 Best Wines Globally. HUON HOOKE, THE REAL REVIEW 2022, 97 points.   A tight and full-bodied white with flint, stone, sliced apples and pears. Really mineral undertone. Seashells, too. It’s so tight and focused with lots of structure. Long and intense. Powerful gunpowder and spice and sea salt. This is impressive to drink now like a top young Burgundy (Chevalier-Montrachet) but will deliver so much more in the future. Drink or hold. HUON HOOKE, THE REAL...

COLOUR Deep straw. AROMA This wine exhibits lush nectarine, grapefruit and white peach characters. A hint of warm vanilla spice from oak ageing frames the nose. PALATE The palate is clean and lively with tremendous depth of ripe stone-fruit flavour nuanced by toasty almond-meal notes. Bright citrus acidity and orange peel provide length and vibrancy to the finish. CELLARING This wine may be enjoyed on release but will find further complexity three to four years from vintage.    #DEEP

"With 3% pinot gris. Gingin clone fermented wild in barrel, matured for 9 months in French oak (30% new). There are all sorts of words to accurately describe this wine: crystalline, pure, glass shard, mineral, alka seltzer ... however the characters that really define it swing toward elderflower and nashi pear, summer lemons, pink grapefruit and snow pea florals. Through the finish there is a fine marbling of crushed nuts and gentle spice. Very pretty. Once it settles from its youth, this will be supremely elegant. 93 points." Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022. COLOUR Brilliant lemon straw. AROMATICS Complex layering of crisp...

Siver Medal, James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge.   COLOUR Pale straw in colour with a fresh green rim. AROMA The wild barrel ferment on solids adds savoury aromatics such as wild herbs and toasty-flinty notes. PALATE Flavours of rockmelon, pear and citrus drive the palate with layers of complexity providing the thumb print of the Evans & Tate house style. Extended maturation in barrel has also contributed malt flavours, textural complexity and beautiful integration. CELLARING Delicious now, or enjoy for up to six years from vintage.

HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2023, 95 points. Wild ferment, MLF blocked, matured for 10 months in barrel and a further 6 months in tank on lees. A reliably brilliant wine, this year is no exception. Classy fruit collides with toasty oak, all of it punctuated by bright acidity and fine texture. Super-smart +.   Gold Medal, PERTH ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2022.    Gold Medal, MARGARET RIVER WINE SHOW 2022.   Gold Medal, ROYAL HOBART WINE SHOW 2021.       

The gold medal tally so far..... ROYAL HOBART WINE SHOW 2021  Best Chardonnay Dry White INTERNATIONAL WINE SHOW CHALLENGE 2023 NATIONAL WINE SHOW OF AUSTRALIA 2023   Top Gold SYDNEY ROYAL WINE SHOW 2022 ROYAL QUEENSLAND WINE AWARDS 2022 MARGARET RIVER WINE SHOW 2021 NATIONAL WINE SHOW OF AUSTRALIA 2021 PERTH ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2022 MELBOURNE ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2022 HALLIDAY CHARDONNAY & CABERNET CHALLENGE 2022   2023 RAY JORDAN WINE GUIDE, 96 points. Oh wow. There is almost a pretty delicacy about this excellent chardonnay at first then the awesome power kicks in and starts its relentless drive to that super...

Gold, MARGARET RIVER WINE SHOW 2021 Gold, WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SINGLE VINEYARD WINE SHOW 2020 Gold, WA BOUTIQUE, WA SINGLE VINEYARD & BLACKWOOD VALLEY WINE SHOW 2020 Gold, WINE SHOW OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2020. HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2022, 96 points. Fruit from the Bridgelands vineyard in Karridale. Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed direct to 500L puncheon for wild fermentation. 2 barrels underwent mlf. After blending in tank, all wine was returned to barrel and left on lees for a further 10 months. This wine is a statement of excellence for Margaret River chardonnay: spicy, rich, saline and very long. Classy wine and detailed winemaking....

Fruit from Karridale in the south. Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented wild in oak, partial mlf (30%), matured for 11 months in French oak, transferred to stainless steel for a further 10 months on lees. Scintillating acidity and ripe fruit are the hallmarks of good Margaret River chardonnay, and both are here in spades. Classy oak frames the picture. The length of flavour shows us the final piece of the puzzle. Smart beyond its price. 94 points. Erin Larkin Published 07 March 2022

Covid messed up the ratings process for this wine and ir was not rated. The 2017, 2019 and 2020 were all rated 92-96 by James Halliday and this is consistent. Forest Hill Vineyard has a unique place in the history of Western Australia’s wine industry, being the first cool climate vineyard planted in the state. A two hectare vineyard was planted in 1965. More than 50 years on Forest Hill is family owned and run. Bright straw in colour with aromas of pears, nougat and flint. The palate has flavours of fresh citrus and figs with zesty finish. The lees stirring has built texture and weight across the palate. Mostly hand-picked, chilled...

“The One That Goes All Minerally. Huge mineral feel, indeed, you’d paste this into the section under ‘Wine; Minerality’ in an encyclopaedia. All pebbles and talc in perfume, sure, some citrus, citrus blossom, faint bread dough notes, but you’re drawn to the flint and element rocky notes primarily. The palate does the same, flint, wet slate, smooth pebbles rolled around the palate, olive brine, green apple juice and lime comes in too. Feels quite firm despite a sense of juiciness and being dart-shaped and long. Finishes with the faintest kiss of salted nuttiness. Just beautiful. Poised and fine.” 95 points,...

Mike Bennie, Wine Front, 93 points. Located in a protected valley, Tarraford Vineyard has a discreet microclimate, that is cooler than neighbouring sites. A diversity of aspect and clone provides multifaceted winemaking opportunities. Although located in a warmer part of the valley, the site produces Chardonnay with high natural acids (and low pH) expressing itself through its characteristically long palate, fine tight structure and a zesty lemon/grapefruit finish.

The warmest site of the 4 Giant Steps single-vineyard chardonnays, but planted on a south-facing slope in Tarrawarra. As with all of them, this was whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented 15% new French puncheons). A fuller, bright, green gold. Quite restrained with aromas of stone fruits, oatmeal and a little wet rock. I like both the intensity and restraint on the palate and this may, paradoxically, need the longest of the 4 single-vineyard 2021 chardonnays to open up. Date Tasted: Feb 2022; Drink to: 2028; Price: $65.00; Alcohol: 13%; Rating: 95 Points; Philip Rich; James Halliday Wine Companion Sweet oak into white stonefruit, citrus...

Gold Medal, Halliday Chardonnay Challenge 2022. WINERY NOTES: Chardonnay is one of our two main squeezes out here, and this drop in particular will have you singing Yarra Valley praises. Drop the retro stereotype because cool climate Chardonnay is our jam and you should absolutely get on board. Region: Yarra Valley Alc/Vol: 13% Smells like: Fresh pear, lemon, poached apple, florals and marzipan Tastes like: Crisp, fresh and dry with a stonefruit core and citrusy pithy texture Goes with: Paella del Mar, BBQ chicken with fresh coriander salsa verde, wash rind cheeses. Catching up on Netflix on a Sunday afternoon

Qantas Business Class "The same clonal composition as the premium Alliance chardonnay: Clone 95 (35%), 96 (35%), 277 (15%), 76 (5%) and Gingin (10%). Hand picked, wild ferment, pressed to barrel, matured for 8 months in French oak (20% new). This is very good. Creamy yet taut, with a generous foundation of ripe orchard fruit, dovetailed salty acidity and fine phenolics. The Ferguson Valley is emerging as a very good home for chardonnay and this is a good example. 92 points." Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022. colour | Bright straw. nose | Reminiscent of white citrus flowers, dried pear and ripe stone-fruit, distinctive and...

"It would not surprise me if this was considered the greatest Leeuwin chardonnay yet. You would get no argument from me... there is elegance and power here. Subtle layered wine. It was a year of great concentration and power. Has pear and lime character that is part of the DNA. The fruit is generous, especially about the mid palate. Has a subtle and not overstated flinty character with a lift of spice. The oak is brilliantly managed and complementary. It's very tight and precise and the whole-bunch technique gives it that stalky, phenolics character. There's a savoury almond meal character on the finish. Incredible length and...

REGION: TUMBARUMBA. Harvested from grapes grown around 480 meters these cool-climate wines in the McW 480 Estate range are filled with freshness and vibrancy. Enjoy vibrant flavours from great heights. The McW 480 Estate Chardonnay displays bright citrus and white nectarine with supporting fresh oak. A focused and linear palate which is richly textured with flinty acidity. Depth of citrus fruit flavor and drive combines with a long seamless finish.

James Halliday 95 points. McWilliam's champions the use of grapes planted in high altitude/cool-climate regions to deliver quality wines with crisp, fruit-driven flavours and our flagship McWilliam's 842 Chardonnay epitomises this philosophy. The name 842 references the peak altitude of the Tumbarumba wine region at 842 metres above sea level. A powerful wine with great fruit intensity matched and balanced by creamy rich texture and the wonderful crisp slatey natural acidity of Tumbarumba. The melon and stone fruit flavours are perfectly ripe with a pure line of grapefruit acidity that drives the wine to fantastic depth and length,...

"Pale gold with silver reflections and a floral and zesty nose of citrus blossoms, jasmine, grilled lime, quince, pear and melon with almond nougat, mint, dried galangal, white pepper and toasted spice. In the mouth it’s mineral, precise, gently curved and intensely flavoured with lime, orchard fruit, white stonefruits and salinity, as well as some brulée and hazelnut notes. Lots of freshness, tension and texture going on. The midpalate’s gripped by chalky tannins that hold alongside the fruit to a long and reaching tail. A killer Chardy for the cellar!"- Marc  Malouf, wineworthwritingabout.com.  ...

A combination of hand picking and machine harvesting, the grapes were crushed, chilled and pressed to tank before a light racking to tank and barrel for fermentation.  3 weeks of cool fermentation, followed by 6 months on lees before blending and bottling. Wine Profile COLOUR:  Pale straw with golden hues AROMA:   Ripe peach, citrus and nectarine with complex nutty and toasty notes. PALATE:   Rich and full of lovely acidity driving the palate.  Lovely flavours persist with fine texture and lovely balance.   'Part hand picked and part machine harvested, crushed, chilled and pressed to a combination...

WINERY NOTE: It’s all about the fruit! Coming from a cracking vintage, this chardonnay heroes the Yarra Valley fruit, with with just a touch of oak exposure. Colour: pale straw Aroma: stone fruit, grapefruit, grilled nuts + spice Palate: stone fruit, orange zest, crisp + textured Cellar: 5-10 years.

“This fresh and complex young chardonnay offers peach and melon aromas with gently buttery, biscuity nuances, too. The balance of acidity is right for the ripe-peach flavors. Waffle-cone finish. 90 Points.” JamesSuckling.com, October 2020 [2019 Vintage]. “Fresh-faced stye with just enough texture, complexity and length to keep most folks happy. Pear, stone fruit, powdered milk and ginger-spice notes get the job done. 91 Points.” Halliday Wine Companion, August 2020 [2019 Vintage]. “Straw in colour but it’s a fresh-faced style with clear varietal character. White peach, pear and apple flavour comes with oak...

“It’s a soft chardonnay with creamy, leesy characters as the palate’s main calling card before its zestier, zippier side takes over through the finish. Mellifluous for the most past, rushed with energy thereafter. Elegant..... 94 Points” Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2020 (2019 Vintage. WINERY NOTE: The Mendosa clone creates rich, elegant Chardonnay and we selected this for our first Equilibrio. The wine is opulent, generous and composed with good oak integration all wound together with a citrus and nectarine, creamy freshness. The concept behind our Equilibrio range is to promote the very best...

IWC Gold Medal. HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2020 95 points. "Hand-picked, each vineyard parcel whole-berry pressed, sequentially filled into French oak and wild-fermented. The breadth of the individual components, and further maturation on lees for 9 months, has made a fine and elegant wine. It is incredibly youthful now, but with years to go to reach its best." #TAS

92 Points - Ned Goodwin MW , Halliday Wine Companion. 240 dozen made. Naturally fermented with wild yeast in seasoned French barriques with frequent lees stirring, sourced from two distinguished vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. The style is modern, with restrained oak supporting fresh, vibrant fruit, leading to a long acid driven finish.    THE VINEYARD Sourced from two distinguished vineyards in the Adelaide Hills; Echunga and Macclesfield. Specific parcels were harvested over a three week period. Some early batches harvested with high natural acidity to lend the finished blend vibrancy and length.  WINEMAKING All...

"94+ Points. Excellent intensity and the length to match. This release has Voyager Estate’s renowned chardonnay in fine form. Grilled stone fruits, pears, cedarwood and flashes of flint. A gingery, nougat-like, slightly confected note too, as a positive. Maybe some pineapple, green pineapple, but tucked well within. This came across as tight and ultra-composed when first opened, but with air it soared. Impressive. Tasted: Dec22 13.5% alc. $60 Screwcap Drink: 2024 - 2030+"- Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front. 

~ Buy Six and Pay $45 net Each ~ James Halliday 95 points. Plenty of funk, plenty happening here in general. Stone fruit, melon and citrus wound in with barrel-ferment and lees characters, all in the right proportions. An attractive textural feel to the palate with nutty oak and flavours of pink grapefruit pushing through, the acidity quite brisk but in balance. Complex and still evolving.