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$95.00
A very exciting vintage. Quite expressive on the nose, with some lemon peel and quince notes. On the palate, there is some breadth and power, and a sense that this will be a long living wine. The touch of opulence is reined in by the classic Tolpuddle Vineyard seam of acidity, bringing the palate into its customary focused line. The grapes were all hand picked, whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak. The wine spent nine months in barrel with gentle stirring as required, then rested in tank on lees. Winemaker’s Notes
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Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is lumped together as a singular regional mass, but Tolpuddle and Stargazer amongst others have laid down the gauntlet for the Coal River Valley as the best region for these hallowed varietals. The vineyard was established in 1988 so by the time Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw purchased the property, 20 beautiful hectares of vineyards had already earned itself a reputation.
From strength to strength as the saying goes. Mature vines ideally situated will always make excellent wines but under the direction of two of the most talented men in the industry, this has become a vital and benchmark estate. The Chardonnay is all high toned brightness. Tense, rich, deep, subtly textured, focused and mineral. Tangy fruit, zingy citrus, and mid-palate stuffing to calm the nerves.
If the Chardonnay is paying homage to the limestone vineyards of St Aubin, the Pinot Noir is a nod to Volnay or Savigny-les-Beaune. Floral, pretty, spicy, a compote of red, black and hedge fruits. Angular in youth, intense, lifted and high toned, mellowing to softness, with game, autumnal notes and a pelt of silk tannic fur. But it’s the tannins that sets apart Tolpuddle and the Coal River Valley from any other region in Australia. They are firm, you can taste them, fine and long. Such natural tannins and high levels of a natural acidity produce wines of elemental structure and singular fruit-focused purpose. Oak, handled well, softens and finesses the edges, rounding the body, gathers the fruit and harnesses the structure. A highwater mark in Australian wine production.
From a tiny patch of vines within Smith’s vineyard. More new wood here and longer time in barrel, so it’s essentially classically styled and not a ‘contemporary’ expression as the other chardonnays are. Beautifully pure aromas of spring jasmine, honeycomb, mandarin, yellow and white peach and very fine oak. Very deep, brooding, fleshy, a masterclass […]
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Add to cart Producer: Lambert WinesAlmost invariably the most sought after wine of the release, no doubt due to the fame of this vineyard. A real statement of Yarra cool, waving the flag for contemporary Australian Chardonnay, pioneered in the Yarra Valley. Almost Puligny like in it’s initial aromatic reticence and floral notes. But with a bit of warmth, comes […]
Add to cart Producer: A Rodda