Summer Wine Guide 2023

2021 Man O’ War Valhalla Chardonnay

G 95

Attractive bouquet of fresh peach and nectarine, subtle hint of toasty vanillin. Full, rich and round, with excellent intensity and a supple creamy mouthfeel and long, lingering finish. Very bright and lively despite its alcohol and weight. The oak is well integrated and balanced. A well made, richer style. 2022 Ribbon Vale Chardonnay G 93 Pale-medium colour. Fresh grapefruit, marzipan hint nougat aromas with herb notes. Generous and creamy with ample grapefruit, tropical fruit flavours, crème brûlée/butterscotch marzipan notes and fine slinky textures with an al dente crisp finish. Delicious early drinking style with lovely mineral length. Now–2027 2021 Vasse Felix Chardonnay G 93 Pale colour. Fresh limes, grapefruit hint flinty aromas with tonic water notes. Minerally and fresh with lovely lime, lemon curd, grapefruit flavours, fine loose-knit chalky textures, attractive creamy complexity and well integrated fresh acidity. Very tangy and mouth-watering. Now– keep for a while 2021 Handpicked Wines Collection Chardonnay G 93 Pale colour. Grapefruit, nectarine, tonic water aromas with marzipan minerally notes. Well concentrated grapefruit, tonic water flavours, minerally fresh acidity, some al dente bittersweet saline notes and underlying marzipan with cutting acidity at the finish. Refreshing style. Now–soon 2022 Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay G 93 Pale colour. Fragrant camomile, grapefruit, tonic water, flinty, hint verbena aromas. Supple and creamy textured with fresh grapefruit, bitter lemon flavours, fine lacy textures and indelible long acidity. Very fresh and minerally with al dente notes at the finish. 100% Chardonnay, Tasmania, Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills, 8 months’ maturation in seasoned and 34% new French oak barriques. Now–2028 2021 Trinity Hill Single Vineyard 125 Chardonnay G 93 Very overt reductive nose, struck-match, gun flint, chewy very toasty, very ripe peach and long finish.