2023 A. Rodda Baxendale Vineyard Chardonnay

95 ptsHALLIDAY TOP 100
Another exceptional single-site Chardonnay from the masterful hands of Adrian Rodda.

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Description

This Chardonnay comes from the Baxendale Vineyard, planted in 1995 and sitting a comfortable 600m above seal level.

After being hand-picked, the fruit gets pressed straight to French oak, with just over a third of it being new. It rested on its lees for 12 months after fermenting, giving it a gorgeous texture and palate weight.

It's a toasty, nutty Chardonnay that retains plenty of natural acidity and offers a lot of drinking pleasure for those looking for a Chardonnay with a bit of extra finesse.

95 points
"A real salt-crusted lime Margarita affair, with green olive, green apple, and struck match. Tight and saline with lots of zip to acidity, fine chalky grip, and so much energy. A spicy and electric example of modern Australian Chardonnay."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

93 points
"Light, bright yellow in the glass with smoky, toasty barrel aromas and grapefruit in the background. Good depth of flavour, intensity, and a long carry. Generous oak, but it works and would reward cellar time."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

95 points - "A real salt-crusted lime Margarita affair, with green olive, green apple, and struck match. Tight and saline with lots of zip to acidity, fine chalky grip, and so much energy. A spicy and electric example of modern Australian Chardonnay." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

95 points - "A high-class chardonnay from a high altitude vineyard that specialises in scintillating chardonnays of great purity. Brimming in alpine florals, white flowers, lemon sorbet and white peach bright scents. Embraces a brisk, easy energy across the palate, pulsing in citrus, stone fruits, almond skin and nougat amid a light, evolving complexity. It's early days, but that brisk acidity is in place with some serious ageing in mind." - Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "The nose is mineral and pretty with aromas of lime curd, gunsmoke and orange blossoms. The medium-bodied palate has striking acidity, giving notes of lemon sherbet, grapefruit pith and shortbread. Very good. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - JamesSuckling.com

93 points - "Light, bright yellow in the glass with smoky, toasty barrel aromas and grapefruit in the background. Good depth of flavour, intensity, and a long carry. Generous oak, but it works and would reward cellar time." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

Highly lifted aromas of red apples and meadow flowers are complexed with secondary characters of flint, spice and wet stone. On the palate, intense minerality combined with fine acidity and lees complexity create a mouthfeel that is velvety and creamy yet focused and intense. Creating a tactile sensation that is long, savoury, and refreshing.

The Baxendale Vineyard, situated just north of the Mansfield-Whitfield Road, was planted in 1995 in tertiary volcanic soils over rhyolite at 600 metres above sea level. The block has a consistent northerly aspect.
Grapes were hand picked and pressed to 500 litre French oak puncheons (36% first use) without clarification or racking for non-temperature controlled fermentation. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine was immediately sulphured to preserve freshness and acidity and rested on its lees for 12 months. The wine was transferred to tank for a further 3 months prior to bottling.

2023 Harvest Date: 26th March
Bottled: 11th June 2024

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Whitlands
Australian State VIC
Reviewed By The Wine Front
The Real Review
James Suckling
Critic Score 95
93
94
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

A. Rodda

Adrian's Beechworth-based winery is essentially a one-man operation with some help from acclaimed viticulturist, Mark Walpole.

What started as a hobby has ballooned into a full-time obsession and he has garnered some huge praise for his classic yet energetic wines.

With a wealth of experience gained under the top-notch tutelage of Yarra Valley superstar winemaker, Dave Bicknell, Adrian is one of the true stars of North East Victorian Wine.

Chardonnay (of course) is his main focus, showcasing a regional series from Beechworth, the Yarra Valley & the Whitlands but he also tackles Cabernet blends & Tempranillo with aplomb.

Winemaker Adrian Rodda A. Rodda

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