Description / Reviews
"Winter rainfall was in line with the long-term average, maintaining soil moisture and supporting steady early growth, while a slightly drier spring created ideal flowering conditions. A mild summer with timely rainfall delivered healthy canopies and wellformed bunches, and a cool, dry lead-up to veraison ensured slow, even ripening and excellent acid retention. Harvest ran slightly later than previous seasons, producing balanced fruit with structure. Powerful yet precise, with impressive concentration and energy. Tightly coiled at first, revealing white flower and jasmine, layered with a complex, savoury lees character. The palate carries weight and extract while remaining clean and driven by a firm core of acidity. Lime zest and tonic notes bring freshness and subtle astringency to the finish. All fruit was hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak. The wine spent ten months in barrel with gentle stirring as required, then rested in tank on lees for a further four months." - Tolpuddle, Winemaker
"Tight and intricately detailed, as always, with bright citrus, peach and white nectarine fruits overseen by a mist of flint and struck-march complexity. Hints of grilled hazelnuts, almond butter, vanillin oak, clover blossom, crushed riverstone, crème fraîche, ozone, oatmeal and sea spray. Lightly textural, with a beautiful taut mineral line, the flavours precise and drawn out along its length. This has a tight mineral cadence, a touch of apple-skin pithiness, preserved lemon, nougat and a pristine, sustained finish with a flair of umami. This is a producer and a site that is in the finest of form. No wonder the French are nervous – once again, world-class Australian chardonnay." - 97+ Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
