2024 Tillie J Aligote

95 pts
One of Australia’s rare Aligotés, this King Valley white shows Tillie J’s knack for coaxing character from the margins - zippy, textural, and just that little bit different.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

Price:
Sale price$45.00
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Sold out
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Description

You don’t see much Aligoté in Australia - almost none, in fact. This fruit comes from a small vineyard in Whitfield, up in the King Valley near the base of the Alps. The clone’s a mystery, but Tillie clearly saw something in it worth chasing.

It’s been treated with care: whole bunch pressed, fermented wild and cultured in a mix of stainless, seasoned oak and a small splash of new. She’s gone full lees here too - nine months on the full stuff, with bâtonnage every month or so to build in that savoury, nutty edge.

What you get is a bright, driven wine with plenty of energy. There’s lemon rind, jasmine, and a touch of toasty oak on the nose. The palate is tightly wound - lemon curd, saline acidity, and a subtle pie crust thing happening on the finish. It’s got weight, but also snap.

Not a wine you see every day, and that’s half the fun. 

95 points
"Even better than last year's impressive debut, offering aromas of ripe pear, stone fruits and acacia together with a little struck match. Gently textured, the chalky and nicely structured palate finishes long and pithy. Tops."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points
"Delightful. What a great drink and a lovely expression of this grape variety too."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

95 points - "From a vineyard planted at 250–300m in Whitfield. Whole-bunch pressed and fermented with solids in French oak (15% new) and stainless steel barriques. Even better than last year's impressive debut, offering aromas of ripe pear, stone fruits and acacia together with a little struck match. Gently textured, the chalky and nicely structured palate finishes long and pithy. Tops." - Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

94 points - "Green pear, almond and salted pistachio, biscuit spices, mint and herbs, a slight struck match. It’s gently viscous but has a fine core of citrus acidity, some lemon peel and green olive, a fine chalky texture, and finishes cool and long. Delightful. What a great drink and a lovely expression of this grape variety too." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • CB
    Chris B.
    Verified Buyer
    1 month ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Great Aligote

    Have been a little underwhelmed by this variety in the past (including more expensive versions from Burgundy) however, this has changed my mind. So well made!

The special wine was crafted from one of a very small handful of known growers in Australia working with this variety. Situated in Whitfield, King Valley at the foothills of the Victorian Alps at approximately 250-350 m ASL. The clone remains unknown.

Hand picked and whole bunch pressed, the juice was settled in tank then transferred with a generous amount of solids for primary fermentation to french oak barriques of which 15% is new rest then a combination of seasoned french oak and stainless steel barriques. Inoculated with two different stains is yeast to promote a complimentary aromatic profile. After primary fermentation was complete the wine was then stirred, topped with extra chardonnay lees and a small addition of sulphur was made. No secondary fermentation took place. The barrels then underwent Bâtonnage every 4 to 6 weeks and 9 months maturation on full yeast lees before being blended, stabilized, minimally fined, filtered and bottled. The wine is vegan.

A bright and lively bouquet with hints of zesty lemon rind and jasmine interlaced with delicate toasty oak. Persistent concentration on the palate. Lemon curd, acidity is salivating and moreish with a nutty biscuit pie crust finish.

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Aligote
Country Australia
Region King Valley
Australian State VIC
Feature High Score
Women in Wine
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
Critic Score 95
94
Size 750ml
Closure Screw Cap

Tillie J

Natillie Johnston, also known as Tillie J, developed her passion for wine while working for cellar doors in the Yarra Valley to support her studies in Sports Science. After completing her degree, she transitioned into the wine-making industry, starting with her first harvest at Coldstream Hills Wines in 2012. Her fascination with wine culture blossomed, leading her to pursue postgraduate studies in winemaking and viticulture at the University of Melbourne.

Throughout her career, Natillie has gained experience in various wine regions across Australia and abroad, including Margaret River, the Hunter Valley, Oregon, Germany, Canada, and New Zealand. Working alongside esteemed winemakers, she honed her craft and forged lasting friendships.

Natillie's dream of starting her own wine label in the Yarra Valley became a reality when she was accepted into the "2019 Young Winemakers" program at No.7 Healesville. This opportunity enabled her to launch Tillie J Wines. Her goal is to create wines that authentically reflect their terroir, enjoyable in their youth or after maturation, and she's gaining plenty of traction. As stated in the Halliday Wine Companion... "Mark my words. Tillie Johnston is going to become a great winemaker.

Winemaker Natillie Johnston Tillie J Wines

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