James Halliday 97+ Points — 2025 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay

Tight and intricately detailed, as always, with bright citrus, peach and white nectarine fruits overseen by a mist of flint and struck-match complexity. Hints of grilled hazelnuts, almond butter, vanillin oak, clover blossom, crushed riverstone, crème fraîche, ozone, oatmeal and sea spray. Lightly textural, with a beautiful taut mineral line, the flavours precise and drawn out along its length. This has a tight mineral cadence, a touch of apple-skin pithiness, preserved lemon, nougat and a pristine, sustained finish with a flair of umami. This is a producer and a site that is in the finest of form. No wonder the French are nervous – once again, world-class Australian chardonnay.

Food Pairing

A natural match for Bare Bird Free Range Chicken Thigh Fillet from My Meat Man. Chardonnay's lees creaminess meets juicy free-range thigh.

Looking for a Different Style?

2023 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills peer.
2024 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay, Margaret River peer.
2024 Craggy Range Kidnappers Chardonnay, Hawke's Bay peer.