2024 Savaterre Frere Cadet Chardonnay

95 pts
A refined, mineral-driven Chardonnay from one of Beechworth's most sought-after Chardonnay producers.

Price:
Sale price$80.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
Rendering loop-subscriptions

Description

Keppell Smith makes some of the most serious Chardonnay in Beechworth under his Savaterre label, but the Frère Cadet is where things open up a bit. The name means 'younger brother', but this isn't a second-tier wine - it's just a different terroir, sourced from a nearby vineyard and built to be much more approachable out of the gate.

It has all the classic Beechworth markers. You get white peach, grapefruit, and a nice hit of struck match and grilled nuts. On the palate, it has a creamy, mouth-filling weight, but it's kept firmly in check by a great line of acidity and a distinctly salty, mineral grip on the finish.

Keppell reckons this is the best Frère Cadet he’s put together yet, and it's hard to argue. It has enough structure to comfortably sit in the cellar for a few years, but it is so open and delicious right now that there’s really no need to wait. It is a no-brainer if you love Beechworth Chardonnay.

95 points
"A brilliant example of Beechworth chardonnay's undoubted power... remember, it is very much early days for this chardonnay. Comes together well and in perfect tune to close."
- Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - "Quite the track record for this producer over the years – see HERE. I’m a younger brother, and younger brothers are most often superior.

White peach, grapefruit, cashew nuts, spice, white flowers and lime rind. It has a juiciness to it, pear, nectarine and lime, cashew cream, bright pink grapefruit acidity, spiced oatmeal, a little parmesan rind savoury flavour, light powdery grip, with a finish of excellent length. It’s a good one in 2024 and not that far behind the estate wine in quality." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

95 points - "A brilliant example of Beechworth chardonnay's undoubted power formed around a core of citrus, quince, stone fruits, pear, lemon curd biscuit and hazelnut. Complex at every turn, it weaves a course across the palate, tight in nervy energy and tension. It has fine-edged acidity, ripe fruit, streamlined vanillin oak, leesy notes and a budding complexity; remember, it is very much early days for this chardonnay. Comes together well and in perfect tune to close." - Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

This is a finer more defined 'Frère Cadet'. On the nose lifted floral notes of lime blossom and gardenia combine with aromas of white nectarine, grapefruit, grilled nuts, praline, brioche, cinnamon, cardamon and flint.

The palate is a delight. Purer enjoyment. Mouth filling juicy minerality. Amazing structure. Such length and precision. Just the right amount of “grip” on the finish.

This wine makes you salivate with anticipation of the next sip.

The flavours and texture go on and on with glimpses of pear, white peach/nectarine, pink grapefruit. I won’t go on but you get the idea.

Precise, textured and powerful with a beautiful spine of acidity to frame this delightful experience. I consider this version the best 'Frère Cadet' yet.

While it it is labelled Frère Cadet (younger brother) it is by no means a second wine.

Only one from a different Terroir.

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

Others also liked

Recently viewed

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.

We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.

Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

No sorry we do not have a store front and pickup is not available.

Yes, no problem. When placing your order select ‘Store at Different Drop and Delivery Later’ as your shipping method or reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order with additional instructions.

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.

 

Our warehouse is automated so unless you tell us otherwise, we will ship your order. If you would like us to hold your order please reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order and we are happy to store your order for up to 6 months at no charge. You can review our heat policy here.

Yes, of course. We want Different Drop customers to always be getting the best price. You can see our price match policy here.

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.

If you can't add more wine to your cart it means we are low on stock of that wine. For example, if you are only able to 3 bottles and no more that means we only have 3 bottles left of that wine. If it's a must have, please contact us and we may be able to order more in for you.

Regular Enquiries

Urgent Enquiries

02 8376 8775