2025 Usher Tinkler Paperwasp Vineyard Chardonnay

95 pts
Seriously delicious handpicked, 100% barrel fermented Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Price:
Sale price$32.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Great ideas often start over a shared bottle of wine, and the 'Paperwasp' is proof of that. Usher Tinkler wanted to create a barrel-fermented Hunter Chardonnay that was immediately accessible in both style and price, and he has absolutely nailed it once again for the 2025 release.

The wine takes its name from the 1.6-hectare vineyard planted in 1985, where backpackers often perform "The Dance of the Paper Wasp" to avoid the nests hidden in the canopy during harvest. Now 40 years old, these vines on sandy loam soil produce fruit with serious concentration.

It is 100% barrel fermented in a mix of new and old French oak, with monthly lees stirring and partial malolactic fermentation. This gives the wine a rich, creamy texture that fills the mouth without weighing it down. It is full-bodied and generous but retains that vital freshness you need. A wonderfully versatile Chardonnay that delivers terrific bang for your buck.

95 points
"Such a beautiful wine, displaying all of the lightness and energy of the '25 chardonnay vintage... The wine shows the strength of the vineyards and the insight of the winemaker, with a relentless pursuit of quality in both areas. Punches well above its weight for the price, and the lingering lemony flavours are just divine."
- Toni Paterson MW (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - "Such a beautiful wine, displaying all of the lightness and energy of the '25 chardonnay vintage. The palate is fine and silky-smooth, with utterly gorgeous sulphide detail that is clean and perfect. Despite its energy, there is very good weight. The wine shows the strength of the vineyards and the insight of the winemaker, with a relentless pursuit of quality in both areas. Punches well above its weight for the price, and the lingering lemony flavours are just divine." - Toni Paterson MW (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
83%
(5)
17%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
S
Steve E.
Hunter Quality

Lovely wine pretty much as described by DD

V
Vanessa M.
Best buttery chardonnay

This is my all time favourite chardonnay! I have been gifting this to my friends and it’s become a cult buy for us!

V
Vanessa M.
My favourite Chardonnay-hands down

If you are looking for a fabulous buttery Chardonnay then look no further! I am obsessed and can’t wait to try everything else Usher Tinkler has to offer!

H
Home H.
Great chardonnay

Don't usually like chardonnay but i love this one!

M
Martin C.
Great value for money chardonnay

I've been really enjoying the Paperwasp. A bright wine with a little too much acid for my wife but suits the citus/lemon zest that I love.

‘The Dance of the Paper Wasp’ is familiar to many a backpacker during harvest in this vineyard. These wasps love to nest in the canopy of our vines at the exact time of hand harvesting.

Hand picked and partially whole bunch pressed. The juice was transferred to barrels for a mix of wild and cultured yeast fermentation. The wine was barrel aged in 10% new French oak and 90% 1 to 6-year old French oak, with 15% undergoing MLF. Over the 8 months in barrel the wine underwent monthly lees stirring.

Drink now to 10+ years

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Hunter Valley
Australian State NSW
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2025
Closure Cork

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