Description
Julian Castagna has been one of Beechworth's great individualists since the late '90s, farming biodynamically and making Syrah and Sangiovese that people chase down. Adam's Rib - named for Julian's son Adam - is the family's more approachable range, and this white has quietly become one of its best buys.
The blend is mostly Chardonnay, with about 20% Viognier, mostly from growers' fruit. The two varieties aren't co-fermented - they're barrel fermented separately and then blended to taste. It used to go by Adam's Rib White, and now it's simply labelled Chardonnay. Keep it simple I suppose!
The 2024 has a slightly saline nose of apple, pear and stone fruit, with a creamy, lees-derived edge and a hint of cashew. In the mouth it's generous and textural, and you can pick the Viognier's spice sitting in there. It's juicy and rich, finishing nutty, faintly salty and fresh, with no obvious oak.
A full-bodied, textural white with real personality from one of Beechworth's most respected names, at a very fair price.
93 points
"Lovely full-bodied dry white. Barrel fermented but no overt oakiness."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)
| Price Bracket | $41 to $50 |
| Type | White |
| Body | Full Bodied |
| Variety | Chardonnay |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Beechworth |
| Australian State | VIC |
| Reviewed By |
The Real Review |
| Critic Score |
93 |
| Alcohol | 13.5% |
| Size | 750ml |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Closure | DIAM Cork |
Castagna
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Common Questions
Delivery is free on orders of $199 or more.
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
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We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.
To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you.
If you want to bulk order gifts or if you have any trouble please email hello@differentdrop.com or call and we can try and help.
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No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.
No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.
Most wine retailers list at a single-bottle price and then discount 10–15% when you buy six or twelve. We've taken the opposite approach. Since the overwhelming majority of our orders are already 6 bottles or more, our list price is set for the case buyer from the start. There's no inflated single-bottle price to discount down from.
What that means for you:
- One price, same for everyone — no minimum to hit to unlock the best rate
- No mixed-six gymnastics to qualify for a discount
- Our single-bottle price is typically at or below a traditional retailer's by-the-dozen rate
Put simply: the box discount is already baked into the price.
**And if you find it cheaper elsewhere?** Let us know. If the same wine is available at a lower price at another retailer (including at their mixed-six or by-the-dozen rate) we're happy to match it.
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