Description
"Undoubtedly one of our finest winemakers"
- Toni Paterson MW (Gourmet Traveller Wine)
Here we have a gorgeous modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay, from the man who has mastered this combination better than anyone.
The Applecross Chardonnay comes from vines planted in 1984 at the Lance Vineyard in St Andrews - old vines, low yields, and a site with genuine character. The winemaking is deliberate and stripped back. Whole-bunch pressed straight to older French puncheons, natural ferment, MLF blocked to lock in the wine's natural acidity, then eleven months quietly on lees without stirring. No new oak.
The result has that unmistakable Bicknell precision: cool and mineral on the nose, with white nectarine, apple blossom and a saline thread running underneath. The palate is focused and architectural - not heavy, but not light either - with perfectly integrated acidity pulling everything long and clean through the finish, just the right amount of Bicknell reduction and flint to add complexity.
Drink it now or give it four to six years. Either way you won't be disappointed, this is a beautiful Chardonnay.
96+ points
"There's a gentle fleshiness on the palate matched by the wine's precise, perfectly integrated acidity. Beautifully balanced from beginning to end”
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)
96 points
"Here’s a beautiful wine… Seamless, flowing, cooling, just enough sternness. It’s an architectural, serious chardonnay but with a sense of reserve, primness, preened grace. And delicious and refreshing. We’re good here."
- Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)
| Price Bracket | $51 to $100 |
| Type | White |
| Body | Medium Bodied |
| Variety | Chardonnay |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Yarra Valley |
| Australian State | VIC |
| Feature |
High Score |
| Reviewed By |
Halliday Wine Companion The Wine Front |
| Critic Score |
96 |
| Alcohol | 13.5% |
| Size | 750ml |
| Vintage | 2025 |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
Bicknell FC
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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.
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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.
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