2023 Lowestoft Estate Chardonnay

96 pts
A masterful Tassie Chardonnay that screams premium quality. Flinty and zesty, nutty and oaky - seriously delicious.

Price:
Sale price$65.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 5 units left
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Description

Tasmania might be cold, but Lowestoft’s Chardonnay game is absolutely on fire. Winemaker Liam McElhinney has pulled together pristine fruit from the Tasman Peninsula and East Coast to craft a Chardonnay that’s every bit as refined and complex as its Pinot stablemates.

With a naturally low-yielding vintage dialling up concentration and acidity, the fruit was whole bunch pressed straight to French oak, where wild ferments and extended lees work added layers of texture and depth. Half the wine was left unsulphured for three months to build extra savoury complexity, before it all came together in a final blend that’s equal parts tension and generosity.

The wine opens with zesty citrus, white peach and grapefruit, then stretches out into roasted hazelnut, honeycomb and finely judged oak spice. It’s powerful but balanced, a cool-climate Chardonnay that wears its richness with poise.

For fans of Tassie Chardonnay with a bit of presence, this one’s not to be missed. A confident, deeply impressive Chardonnay from the Apple Isle.

96 points
"There's a lot going on here. It's like an orchestra; you can hear it as a whole but are able to delineate and pick out individual instruments, politely golf (orchestra?) clapping as you go, marvelling at the tautly stretched fruit canvas, umami-rich acid line and overall composition and drive. A cracker."
- Dave Brookes (2024)

96 points - “Coal River Valley chardonnay, whole-bunch pressed into seasoned French oak (300L) for wild ferment before maturing for nine months in oak prior to blending and bottling. Pale straw, with vibrant aromas of grapefruit, white peach and nectarine cut with hints of struck-match complexity, spiced oatmeal, almond paste and riverstone. There’s a lot going on here. It’s like an orchestra; you can hear it as a whole but are able to delineate and pick out individual instruments, politely golf (orchestra?) clapping as you go, marvelling at the tautly stretched fruit canvas, umami-rich acid line and overall composition and drive. A cracker.” - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

vintage
Variable spring weather patterns significantly impacted flowering and subsequent fruit set, resulting in one of the smaller harvests to date. Rigorous canopy management and considered viticulture ensured the production of disease free grapes, showcasing excellent fruit concentration and illuminating acidity.

winemaking
78% Tasman Peninsula and 22% East Coast Chardonnay was hand-picked and chilled overnight before being whole bunch pressed into seasoned French oak (300L) and left to undergo wild fermentation with the inclusion of some solids. 50% of the wine was sulphured immediately post primary fermentation with the remaining 50% stirred without SO2 for 3 months. 9 months in oak prior to blending and bottling.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Region Tasmania
Australian State TAS
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

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