Hoddles Creek Estate’s Syberia vineyard is located on the steepest, highest block on the estate, with an east-west orientation which limits sun exposure. Whole bunch pressed into oak and bottled with no fining or filtration. Franco D’Anna, winemaker believes this to be one of the top 3 Chardonnays he’s made. That’s a serious statement, and not to be taken lightly.

Hoddles Creek Estate, Syberia, Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, 2018

Flinty and tense aromas that camp in the savoury, briny end of the Chardonnay spectrum, with maybe a touch of  melon flesh and grapefruit citrus. There’s a firmness, a strength to this wine that makes it seem almost brutalist in its beauty.  The savoury profile almost umami-like, sherry-like with the way it unapologetically gets the saliva flowing. Persistence of flavour: it takes hold and doesn’t let go with longevity of intensity. A very special wine indeed.

RRP: $60
Alc: 12.7%
Rating: 19.25/20 (96/100)

Wine sample courtesy of Hoddles Creek Estate