2022 Coal River Valley Chardonnay, Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania
The Tolpuddle vineyard was planted back in 1988, and purchased by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith in 2011. It's a prime spot in the Coal River Valley, on one of the many slopes. It's north-facing in a rain shadow, and is a brilliant cool, dry place to grow quality grapes. Originally planted to clones more suitable for sparkling wines, Martin and Michael have gradually re-planted the vineyard to Burgundy clones, and the results in these recent vintages speak for themselves. Whole bunch pressed into French oak, of which around a third is new. Full and concentrated with white peach, citrus, nutty notes and crushed stone aromas and flavours. There's a tight frame of mineral acidity with crushed shell and sea spray, especially on the long finish.