Savaterre Frere Cadet Chardonnay 2024

According to Keppell Smith, this chardonnay is from a neighbour’s vineyard, and if I had to guess, I would think it’s the wonderful Indigo vineyard. It’s even more dialed up than the estate in terms of lifted aromatics and luminosity. Orchard fruit, lime, grapefruit, wood spice, cashew and buttered toast combine on a bright, slick and streamlined palate. Terrific energy and tightly wound, a surging drive of acidity that’s beautifully cut and penetrating.

A brilliant example of Beechworth chardonnay’s undoubted power formed around a core of citrus, quince, stone fruits, pear, lemon curd biscuit and hazelnut. Complex at every turn, it weaves a course across the palate, tight in nervy energy and tension. It has fine-edged acidity, ripe fruit, streamlined vanillin oak, leesy notes and a budding complexity; remember, it is very much early days for this chardonnay. Comes together well and in perfect tune to close. 95 points – Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion