Campbell Mattinson

The Wine Front 95 Points

Such beautiful line and length. Some pebble, hay and sandalwood characters here, florals, flashes of sunny peach, green olive, the stones of stonefruit, some tonic. Beautiful management of acidity, texture and flavour, with everything flowing out evenly through the finish. So much elegance and length. Amazing g&t aromatics and indeed flavours. This is a lovely wine in all respects.

Jane Faulkner

Halliday Wine Companion 95 Points

As with the Merricks pinot noir, this takes fruit off the three disparate sites along Thompsons Lane. It's highly perfumed with lavender, lemon blossom and ginger flower, too. The palate is layered, textural and feels flush with citrus and white stone fruit, ginger and cedary oak spice (not much, just enough as a seasoning). A light layer of lees adds a creaminess and the fine acidity drives this to a long finish.

Shanteh Wale

Wine Pilot 95 Points

The first bottling of Merricks Chardonnay under Julian Grounds guiding eye. A blend from three vineyards within the estate, with elevation. Wild ferment, no battonage, partial malo and into French puncheons of which 20% is new. Some delicate grated nutmeg and birch bark greets the grapefruit and white peach tones. The traces of oak also bring out the dainty white florals. Acidity climbs steadily whilst allowing for nougatine creaminess. This bottling is amping up those richer and more textural components that sit neatly beside buttery sauces and meaty shellfish so well. It is sexy and it knows it, beautiful sipping today and will age well over 8-10 years in the dark parts of your cellar.