Hunter Chardonnay is very good when it’s good. Fruit is hand picked. Whole Bunch pressed then into French oak casks (100% new) for 15 months. Unsulphured until bottling, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Winemaker is Alex Beckett.

Briar Ridge, Briar Hill, Chardonnay, Hunter Valley, 2022

Pale straw yellow. Rich and opulent nose. Roasted nutty oak, fleshy stone fruit, nougat, barley sugar, dusty wheat chaff, preserved lemon and grilled lime. Flesh and opulence, spicy oak and with some serious bittersweet grapefruit citrus. Plenty of heft and length tempered sharp. Certainly one for those who like their Chardonnay bigger boned, but will satisfy the razor gang. Now to 10 years.

RRP: $50
Alc: 12.8%
Rating: 93/100

Wine sample courtesy of Briar Ridge and Dialogue PR