Chardonnay

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.   #NEWBINDI

Winery Note: This is the second wine we have made from this nearly 30 year old Macedon Ranges vineyard. The Glenhope vineyard is planted at 450m above sea level on the granite soil at the northern end of the region. The wine is made in the same way we make Bindi Chardonnays; destemmed berries go into the press and the juice is taken straight from the tray into the barrels, around 30% of which are new small French oak. The fermentation occurs without yeast addition and the wine remains on all lees for ten months until just prior to bottling. The 2023 has a beautiful nose of lemon and citrus flowers, spice, fig and a touch of...

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...

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. The Kostas Rind Chardonnay is grown in a 1.5 hectare plot. The wine is fermented in French barrels of which typically 20% are new. Fermentation occurs without the addition of cultured yeast and the wine remains in barrel on yeast lees over winter with only a small amount of malo-lactic conversion taking place. It is racked around eight months after vintage, and...

The trademark characteristics of the wine produced on our site are understated power and length with a mineral finish. The wine has a great fruit expression that is well integrated with French oak. The soil characteristics have come through in the style of wine we have today. The palate is fine but firm, with great acidity, texture and length. This wine is rich in flavour, yet very refined.

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...

Raciness and flavour, combined with aplomb. Citrus, pear, slate and flint characters launch from the outset, candied fruit and cedar notes emerging as it travels through the mouth. There's nothing lacking about this wine, and yet it seems zippy and refreshing; it will build flesh as it matures, and be better again for it. 94 points. Campbell Mattinson 2 August 2023.

RAY JORDAN WINE GUIDE 2024 Just a little barrel fermentation has transformed this from the normal fruit-bomb style into a wine of sophistication and style, while still allowing the punchy savvy fruit to display its virtues. Typical characters of passionfruit, gooseberry and a little snow pea are lifted with a little of the lemony oak influence. A really attractive wine to drink while it is still fresh, but which can handle a little cellaring time. 93 points.

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

RAY JORDAN WINE GUIDE 2024 What a marvelous Chardonnay from these guys. At the outset, it's whole bunch pressed and fermented in a combo of new and seasoned French oak before a regime of lees stirring. Has a fine mineral thread with an engaging combination of light char, cracked seashell and sea spray on the nose. The palate is precise but relentlessly long and intense. Beautiful finish. As good as has been produced from Deep Woods. Runner-up Best Chardonnay 98 points. JAMES SUCKLING, NOVEMBER 2023 An impressive Chardonnay with notes of salted lemons, sliced pineapples, flint, seashell, raw almonds and praline. Full-bodied, layered,...

JAMES SUCKLING 96 points. "Fantastic aromas of sliced cooked lemons and apple with flint, crushed stone, nutmeg and spiced pear. Medium to full body. Crisp acidity. Razor sharp. Oyster shells. Steely undertones. Tangy acidity." -  James Suckling.   GOLD MEDAL, Royal Melbourne Wine Show 2023.     "This wine brims with delicious, nutty pastry crust aromas which mingle with lifted white peach and orange blossom perfume. This is a textural wine with a vibrant, linear acidity. Juicy lemon and lime citrus fruit, fennel frond and savoury oak-driven complexities create an elegant, yet energetic wine with a...

Winery Note: "Handpicked estate grapes, whole cluster pressed and wild fermented displaying complex layering of tart citrus, fresh white peach, quince paste, vanilla flower, and crushed walnuts. The palate has a creamy texture with primary citrus and stone fruit flavours with a superb length balanced by natural saline mineral acidity and the highest quality French oak."   2022 Vintage....Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, wild fermented, matured in French barriques; fortnightly bâtonnage. The 10 best barrels were selected after nine months maturation. This is an exceptionally fine chardonnay, grapefruit and white...

Heady aromas of struck flint, lemon blossom and just-cooked jasmine rice, whereas the palate is tight and nervy. Definitely texture in the midst, though, thanks to creamy lees and the spiced, cedary oak, all of which help bolster the palate. 92 points. Jane Faulkner Published 07 August 2024

CAMPBELL MATTINSON, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2025 From Block 1 of the Ellens Ridge vineyard at Wallcliffe in the Margaret River region. There's no doubting this wine's quality; it strikes you from the first sip. It tastes of sweet pears, nectarine, peach and grapefruit and feels intense and joyous from start to finish. Smoky, bacon-y oak plays a keen-but-supporting role, acidity is juicy and well flavoured, and the finish is sustained. In short, it's lovely. 95 points.  

RAY JORDAN WINE GUIDE 2024 A wine that bridges that divide between power and elegance, delivering a wonderfully precise and finely focused wine. On the nose a trace of wild ferment struck match releases. The palate then takes charge with a fine chalky edge against a backdrop of grapefruit and cashew with a lift of pear. Has a crunchy saline character to finish. As good as any from E&T. 97 points. PERTH ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2023, 5 Trophies. Best Wine of Show Best White Table Wine Best Western Australian Table Wine Best Western Australian White Table Wine Best Chardonnay PERTH ROYAL WINE AWARDS 2022, 3 Trophies. Best White Table...

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.       

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.

James Halliday Wine Companion 95 points. This is smokin'. It has moreish sulphides at play, but it's the bringing together and syncing of all its elements that makes this spot-on. White nectarines, citrus, creamed honey and very spicy, all offset by mouth-watering acidity. It's layered, concentrated and flatteringly fine. 95 points. Jane Faulkner Published 13 August 2021

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

In many ways the most Burgundian of any of the Leeuwin releases, this will rank up there with the best to date. There’s a waxy light mealy aroma which picks up nuances of limestone and spice with a trace of grapefruit. But it is the palate that really distinguishes it. There is an austerity with the minerally chalky feel that cuts through the fruit extending to a finish of extraordinary length. Precision and focus harness a wine of great power and poise before dry savoury edges lift the finish. Date: March 2022; Drink: 2024-2038;  Rating: 99 Points; Ray Jordan; Wine Pilot. 98 points, Wine Companion (January 2022), Erin Larkin....

HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2022, 96 POINTS. Hand-picked fruit from the Tasman Peninsula, Coal River and Tamar Valleys. Fermented on full solids and matured 10 months in 35% new French oak hogsheads. Launching Tasmania's most exciting new premium label, the Fogarty Group sure has hit the ground running. This is pitch-perfect chardonnay that embraces the generosity of a warm season and frames it intricately in crystalline acidity, top-class oak and just the right whif of struck-flint reduction. Masterfully assembled and a joy to taste for the first time. Tyson Stelzer, Aug 2021. #TAS

HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2022 100% Coal River Valley chardonnay; hand picked; whole-bunch pressed; wild fermented and aged 9 months in seasoned French oak barrels; 50% with sulphur dioxide and 50% without, with 3 months bâtonnage. The Fogarty Group has made quite a splash in Tasmania and wines like this make a serious statement about their confidence to play at the top end. The cool 2020 season defines impressive flinty, mineral texture and enduring acid drive, energising perfectly ripe white fruits and impeccably integrated oak. 95 points. 95 GARY WALSH, THE WINE FRONT 2022 Tasted alongside the 2019, and while 2020 was a cooler...

HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2024 Tamar Valley/Coal River Valley/Tasman Peninsula-sourced Chardonnay; matured in large format French oak for 10 months. An immediate wash of mealy lemon, grapefruit, white peach and nectarine fruit notes along with hints of fine spice, white flowers, flint, crushed river stone, nougat, oyster shell and sexy French oak. There is a swirl of struck-match complexity in the mix, and the wine presents an expansive palate with plenty of clarity, tension and complexity. A long, dreamy finish, too. 95 points. ERIN LARKIN, ROBERT PARKER WINE ADVOCATE 2023 Tasted beside the 2020, this 2021 Estate Chardonnay is finer and...

HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2024 Pale straw in the glass with aromas of white peach, nectarine and grapefruit with a nice match/sulphide nuance and hints of soft spice, oatmeal, white flowers, nougat, lemon curd and clotted cream. There is impressive detail, clarity and composition here with a long, wonderfully expressive pure flow across the palate on rails of mineral and stone. A picture of tension and release. Beautiful drinking. 97 points.  

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.

All P58 clone from '80 and '82 plantings. Whole-bunch pressed to 500L puncheons (about 20% new). No lees stirring. A touch brighter and deeper in colour than the Hazeldene. Sexy stuff from the first whiff with its aromas of stone fruits, acacia honey and grilled nuts. Glides effortlessly across the silken-textured palate. You know it will age well, but this is an Oakridge chardonnay that you won't need to wait too long to enjoy.. 96 points. Philip Rich Published 20 February 2024.

SELECTION Selection for this Chardonnay focused on premium fruit from the cool slopes of the Upper Yarra Valley , Gladysdale (Willowlake) and Wandin East (Barkala), with a touch of estate fruit from Coldstream. VINTAGE 2023 A vintage defined by cool, wet conditions, low crops and harvesting late into autumn. The resulting wines have great depth of flavour and vibrant, balanced acidities. WINEMAKING A traditional winemaking approach was used to produce this wine – handpicking and whole bunch pressing directly to 500 litre French oak puncheons for natural fermentation followed by a 9-month maturation on lees. TASTING NOTE Pale straw and...

Nick Stock for 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 spice top notes. It’s not overly intense but there’s enough here to satisfy. 90 Points.” Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront, July 2020 [2019 Vintage] “If you are yet to introduce...

“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...

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...