Tolpuddle Chardonnay 2023

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Tolpuddle
Chardonnay 2023

Vintage : 2023
Country : Australia
Region : Tasmania
Subregion :
Type : White
Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 13,5°
Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay is a crystalline, refined expression of Tasmanian Chardonnay, with exceptional balance and a delicate, fresh acidity.

Experts		Score	Vintage
JH	James Halliday	98	2022
BC	Bob Campbell MW	98	2022
RP	Robert Parker	97	2022
JS	James Suckling	96	2022
DCT	Decanter	99	2021
WE	Wine Enthusiast	95	2021
WS	Wine Spectator	95	2021

More information on wine critics and ratings

Tasting Note (PDF)

Description
Reviews
From the same producer

Region and Vineyards

The Tolpuddle Vineyard is located in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, where the cool climate is ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Planted in 1988, this vineyard has become renowned for producing wines of purity and finesse, thanks to meticulous vineyard management and the unique terroir. The 2022 growing season was the coldest in over a decade, leading to low yields but intense flavor concentration. These cooler conditions, which extended through the growing season, enhanced the natural acidity and refined aromatics characteristic of Tolpuddle Vineyard fruit.

The Tolpuddle Vineyard’s soils, combined with the long, cool ripening period, allow the Chardonnay to develop a fine balance of acidity and flavor intensity. This extended maturation contributes to the wine’s complexity and depth, while preserving the bright, fresh qualities for which this vineyard is celebrated.

Winemaking

Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay was crafted to highlight its natural complexity and cool-climate character. The hand-picked grapes were whole-bunch pressed to preserve the purity and delicacy of the fruit. Fermentation took place in French oak barrels, where the wine remained for nine months with gentle stirring of the lees as needed to build texture and complexity. After aging, the wine was rested in tank on its lees to allow for further integration before bottling.

This careful approach to winemaking results in a Chardonnay that is both intense and delicate, with crystalline clarity and a precise finish. The emphasis on natural acidity and minimal intervention preserves the wine’s fresh, vibrant character.

Tasting Notes

Color: Pale straw with green highlights.
Aroma: Pure and focused with floral notes, lemon, and lime, complemented by a hint of minerality.
Palate: Intense and flavorful, with a light, delicate structure. Crisp acidity and a long, persistent finish highlight the wine’s balance and precision, with a subtle mineral quality adding depth.

Did you know?

The Tolpuddle Vineyard has gained international acclaim for its Chardonnay, praised for its ability to capture the essence of Tasmanian cool-climate viticulture. This unique terroir allows the wines to develop naturally high acidity, making them vibrant and age-worthy.

Wine Pairing Ideas

Oysters with mignonette sauce: The Chardonnay’s bright acidity and mineral notes enhance the briny freshness of the oysters.
Grilled sole with lemon butter: The delicate texture and citrus flavors of the wine pair harmoniously with the light, buttery richness of the sole.
Goat cheese and herb tart: The wine’s acidity cuts through the creamy texture of the cheese, while its floral and citrus notes complement the herbs.
Roast chicken with thyme and garlic: The savory elements of the chicken are balanced by the Chardonnay’s crisp acidity and subtle minerality.

James Halliday (JH) : 98 Points (2022)

Another alluring Coal River chardonnay release from the folks at Tolpuddle. It's at once full and concentrated but is reined in by a tight framework of acidity, coiling on rails of minerality before powering across the palate. Tension and detail on point, light textural phenolic elements give it a sleek and silken mouthfeel. The fruit tones of white peach, nectarine and citrus are cloaked in soft spice, white floral tones, struck match, almond paste and crushed stone and the wine displays a stony elegance and seriousness on the long finish. If we were to talk in hushed tones about what would constitute a Tasmanian Grand Cru chardonnay, the Tolpuddle would be the front-runner. Superb.

Bob Campbell MW (BC) : 98 Points (2022)

"Light bright yellow with a smoky, nutty, barrel fermented bouquet which also packs seaspray/oyster-shell, mixed spices and talcy aromas into the mix. In the mouth it's very intense and focused, tensioned and crisp, without strident acidity but lovely refreshing properties. A superb wine, quietly complex and penetrating, obviously barrel-fermented but not showing too-overt oak. The acidity is bright and refreshing and cleanses the aftertaste. Amazing length. Magical stuff." (Huon Hooke, The Real Review) (9/2023)

Robert Parker (RP) : 97 Points (2022)

The Tolpuddle Chardonnay is routinely a class act, polished and piercing in every vintage iteration, and somehow delivers a deeply satisfying, comforting flow of flavor atop the more intellectual framing that it is known for. Here, the 2022 Chardonnay leads with white peach and flowers, layers of green apple, saltbush, ocean spray, gently leafy herbs and tobacco to close. In the mouth, the tannins expand to fill the space, creating a capacious feeling—a cavern, almost. Suffice it to say, this is a wonderful wine, again. Gently grippy through the finish, it's totally composed. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

James Suckling (JS) : 96 Points (2022)

Always a very good chardonnay. Often among the New World's best. This said, it is always a pungent, flinty reductive iteration, considerably different to the more generous norm in these parts. Medium-bodied and typically taut, reeling off truffle, leesy oatmeal and white peach notes across a tautly furled, almost gritty climax of praline and hazelnut accents. This will age exceptionally well.

Decanter (DCT) : 99 Points (2021)

A relaxed nose belies the seductive roll and swirl of a full and voluptuous fruit profile, and a cooler vintage brings a cohesive yet concentrated voice to a tightly-wound meld of flavours. A savoury edge allows minerality to shine, while vibrant energy that tremulously ripples along a lengthy acid spine will maintain the verve in this vintage for a long time.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 95 Points (2021)

5 Tolpuddle 2021 Chardonnay (Tasmania). In what has become an unmistakably Tolpuddle (and heavily Burgundy-influenced) style, this is a rich, intensively reductive Chardonnay that’s set for the long haul. For now, there’s a sulfuric potency, like a just-struck match combined with roasted cashews and buttered toast. Somewhere in the mix, a fruity note like pineapple rind or peach skin, emerges. The palate offers a similarly toast-driven effect, but it wears it well, adding textural weight, lifted acidity and depth of flavor to its inherent power. You could drink it now but it’d be a shame.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (2021)

A stunning white, intense and complex, opening with vivid notes of roasted, salted hazelnut, then giving way to a sleek, crisp, intense core of lime, pomelo and tangerine flavors. Delivers details of toasted sesame seed, fresh-grated ginger, lemongrass and a touch of celery seed on the long, expressive finish.