2024 Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay
2024 Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay

2024 Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay

96 pts
Hoddles Creek |Yarra Valley |Chardonnay
Top-flight Yarra Valley Chardonnay from the D'Anna family. Limited stocks available, so act fast!
4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
4 Reviews
Price:
$65.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Franco D'Anna's Hoddles Creek 1er Chardonnay is a wine of exceptional class and intensity.

The fruit comes from the Top Paddock vineyard, grafted in 2003 to Bernard clones 95, 96 and 277. Sitting 50 metres higher than the original Chardonnay block, this exposed, easterly slope produces small crops of concentrated fruit that perfectly suit Franco’s restrained style. Poorer soils mean the vines have to work harder, giving natural intensity and structure.

In the winery, everything is done with a light touch. Hand-picked fruit, gentle pressing, and long, slow fermentations in French oak. The wine spends a year on lees with minimal stirring, bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The 2024 release is all tension and drive - white peach, lemon curd, almond meal and a subtle smoky edge. It’s tight and layered, with the kind of length that only comes from exceptional fruit and patience in the cellar.

This is one of the best Chardonnays in the country, full stop. Built to drink beautifully now and evolve for many years ahead.

95+ points
"Rich in colour and rich in flavour. This release of Hoddles Creek Estate 1er delivers the goods."
- Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

Campbell Mattinson

Campbell Mattinson

The Wine Front 95 Points

Rich in colour and rich in flavour. This release of Hoddles Creek Estate 1er delivers the goods. Grilled peach, vanilla-cream, pine, cedar, Pez, nectarine and an array of ozone-infused, fragrant-but-integrated herbs. This release is both textural and energetic but it’s characterised by its rich, plush flavour. The finish itself is the final confirmation; this wine sings both full and long.

Philip Rich

Philip Rich

Halliday Wine Companion 96 Points

From a single easterly facing block grafted from pinot to chardonnay in 2003. A very bright green gold. A subtle and beguiling wine that took a while to open up, before revealing aromas of yellow plum, apple blossom, oyster shells and jasmine. Just as good on the tightly wound, persistent and really long palate. If drinking now, don't serve this too cold, but know, also, that this will reward time in the bottle.

Ryan Montgomery

Ryan Montgomery

James Suckling 95 Points

Pure and refined, with aromas of preserved lemons, white orchard fruits, salted nuts, crushed stones and flint. The palate is textural and rounded, cut through by bright acidity and a pithy texture, leading into a tense, nervy yet fruit-driven and generous finish. Delicious, with nicely integrated use of oak and oxidative elements. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Customer Reviews

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 3 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
4 reviews
  • AC
    Andrew C.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    5 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2022 Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    A Very Fine Chardonnay

    This is a very fine Chardonnay. It is quite delicate with a hint of oak but lots of fruit and a lovely long dry finish. Great with fish or seafood - or even by itself on a warm afternoon.

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  • CF
    Craig F.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    6 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2022 Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Quality Australian Chardonnay

    Great Chardonnay that drinks well with good cellaring potential.

    Was this helpful?
  • JH Profile picture for Jon H.facebook logo
    Jon H.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    6 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2022 Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley Chardonnay
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Cracking wine

    Powerful and complex, needs a bit of air to settle down and open up, but you'll be rewarded after a decant or some time open. Hoddles, as always, hits the mark.

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Show More

A better understanding of our vineyards has led us to believe that certain blocks excel year after year. These blocks have always been treated separately to enable us to fine tune viticulture and winemaking in the thought of releasing some single block wines in the future. Well that time has come. Our Top Paddock vineyard was originally planted to 100 per cent Pinot Noir. In 2003, I decided to graft one block over to the Bernard clones of Chardonnay (95, 96, 277). I selected the best clones and the most balanced vines for cuttings. The block I selected was Easterly facing on the crest of the hill. I was always fascinated how Chardonnay on this block would go. The vineyard is 50 metres higher in altitude than the existing Chardonnay block.

Chardonnay from the Top Paddock has always had a different growth structure than our normal Chardonnay blocks. Positioned on top of the hill has meant the vines have had to work harder as the soils are poorer. Crop levels are never an issue with this block, with natural crop levels at one tone per acre. Minimal shoot thinning and positioning occurs in Spring. After this, we let the vines sort itself out.

In the winery, we treat this wine as we would normally treat all our Chardonnay.. The Chardonnay is picked in the early morning, and refrigerated down to 2⁰C for 12 hours. Then it is gentle destemmed, not crushed and pressed into tank. The juice is left to settle clear for 7 days with no enzyme or acid addition. The wine is then fermented till dryness using cultered and natural yeasts. The wine remains in cask for 12 months with occasional battonage. The wine is not filtered, not fined, or stabilized before bottling.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Yarra Valley
Australian State VIC
Feature High Score
Reviewed By The Wine Front
Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
96
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

Hoddles Creek Estate

Hoddles Creek Estate lays a serious claim to being one of the best value producers in Australia.

Led by the extremely hardworking winemaking guru Franco D’Anna, the Hoddles team crafts wonderful Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in particular that seriously overdeliver at all price points.

The wines are all made from fruit grown on their family vineyard in the Upper Yarra Valley. A must-try for Yarra Valley fans and bargain hunters alike!

Winemaker Franco D'Anna - Yarra Valley, VIC Discover Hoddles Creek

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