Tolpuddle Chardonnay Tasmania 2022 (750ML)

98 WC / 97 WA / 96 JS / 94 WS

#29 James Suckling's Top 100 Australian Wines of 2023

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.-James Halliday, Wine Companion

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.-Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

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. Drink or hold. Screw cap.—Ned Goodwin MW, James Suckling

This stunning expression of Chardonnay is sleek and juicy throughout, with preserved lemon, orange sherbet, nectarine lime zest and toasted sesame seed notes. Mouthwatering acidity joins hints of flint and marzipan, adding to the complexity. Drink now. 120 cases imported.-MaryAnn Worobriec