Savaterre Chardonnay 2021

Nestled in the mountains of north-eastern Victoria, just outside the picturesque town of Beechworth, lays the Savaterre vineyard. The site was "discovered" in 1996 by Keppell Smith, owner and winemaker, after an expansive search through Australia's quality wine regions. The mild summer days, cool climate elevation combined with the rolling foothills of the Victorian Alps was the magic "terroir" combination sought by Keppell.

Intensely focused on the creation of outstanding, individualistic wines far removed from the mainstream, Keppell looks more to the wines, winemaking and viticulture of the Old World as his inspiration. Ranging from vineyard aspect through to the use of natural yeasts and French barriques, he combines the art and the science of winemaking in his drive to produce the finest of wines.

Light straw with green Chartreuse tinges. The bouquet is a play between refinement and concentration. It slowly reveals itself over time. Complex , powerful and multi dimensional. It hints at the pent up power and energy. Initial glimpses of pear, white peach, preserved lemon, lime blossom, galangal, white flowers, grilled almond, subtle gun flint and exotic spices such as curry leaf, nutmeg and allspice in the background. All defined within a mineral framework. The palate confirms its pedigree. Power, complexity, minerality and incredible length interwoven seamlessly. Multiple hints of white peach, pear, preserved lemon, almond and spice are framed within a tight mineral frame. It finished with a long and ever-increasing complex finish. This is a long lived, powerful, complex wine that was born of a great season. Patience and cool cellaring will reward those who can resist consuming it young.

This 2021 Chardonnay won't be released until March 2023 (consider this your pre-release look). The fruit is a field blend of clones in the vineyard (8,000 vines per hectare, planted in 1996) and is handpicked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast, then the wine matures in French oak for 18 months. The wine is frisky (of course, at this early stage) and shows its oak at this stage, but it is already flowing in a cascade of almond meal, crushed nuts, briny acidity and salted peach. Through the finish, the phenolics tighten up and pull the fruit into line, dragging it out to a long finish. It is lovely, complex and tense and will soften in time. - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 95 Points

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Beechworth, Victoria
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%