94 points - "Another tip-top Black Sands, easily the best to date for it has restraint yet flavour, although that seems to be the Patrick Sullivan way. This features white and yellow peaches, Kanzi apple, lemon and lime with woodsy spices plus a little flint adding an extra layer of detail. The palate builds yet acidity reins this in beautifully. Highly gluggable yet classy at the same time." - Jane Faulkner (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "The 2024 Black Sands Chardonnay is quite different from both the Bull Swamp and the Ada River Chardonnays; it sits somewhere between them, borrowing the richness and depth of the Bull Swamp and the detail and poise from the Ada River. It leads with milk arrowroot biscuit, white pepper, nashi pear, lemon barley, white peach and brine. In the mouth, the wine is concentrated and powerful, more savory than the Bull Swamp but riffing off the same playbook. This is a thundering Chardonnay here. 13.8% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

93 points - "Planted in 1990, The Black Sands vineyard is located just west of the township of Heywood in Western Victoria, with a unique shallow blend of black volcanic sand and basalt over pure and deep white limestone. As with all of the 2024 Chardonnay releases, this was barrel fermented before full malo and elevage in barrique for eleven months with 30% new. 13.8% abv. It’s pithy and tensile from the outset with a lovely almond nuttiness intermingling with lemon pith and white grapefruit before a bite of preserved lemon and a glimmer of hard cheese rind. There’s some subtle flint and oyster shell, too, and some cedar wood taking a back seat. Air unlocks some lemon thyme, a glimmer of mandarin oil, and citrus blossom with air – the latter of which subtly sweetens the aromatic profile. This unfurls nicely in the glass though still has a coiled feel. The palate is taut and crunchy, cutting through an otherwise creamy texture with notes of lemon balm, lemon oil, citrus preserves, grapefruit pith and almond. Lovely firm acidity here, carrying a saline note long through the finish in tandem with a lick of chalky grip. I like the crunchy energy and pithy edge of this wine, and it’ll relax nicely with some time in the cellar." - Tom Kline (Wine Pilot)

92 points - "Light-medium yellow colour; apricot and peach aromas, laced with subtle nuttiness; the palate is intense, medium bodied and rich, the richness and alcohol warmth growing towards the back-palate, ending in a long tail with a slight grip." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

91 points - "Lemon and ginger, lemongrass, almond, a little oyster shell salinity. It’s a tight and frisky wine, lots of zip and energy, maybe a little too much sour green apple and bony texture, some chamomile mouth-perfume, lemon peel, lime and licking a 9V battery zip with a dash of Angostura bitters on a finish of good length. Almost a Riesling character to this wine. I like it. Has energy, though maybe doesn’t talk to Chardonnay so much." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

This vineyard is located a short distance to the west of the township of
Heywood in western Victoria. Planted in 1990 by Alistair and Alice Taylor, the vineyard has produced some of the most interesting and pronounced chardonnay grown in Australia. The soil is a unique shallow blend of black volcanic sand and basalt over pure white limestone that runs deep.

NOSE: Lemon rind, almond meal, ripe stone fruit.

PALATE: Powerful yet ethereal with a creamy texture and refreshing acidity that drives the wine. A chalky, saline finish adds depth and length, balancing power with finesse.