Product Information:
This is really good, 97 Points good. Vivacious aromas and flavours of grapefruit pith, just-ripe white peach, orchard flowers, slatey minerality. From the 'Best Value Winery' according to Halliday Wine Companion 2025, Chardonnay doesn't get much better than this.
100% Chardonnay from Clones P58. This comes from the Moorabool Valley, Geelong from three vineyards - Strathmore Vineyard, Muhlebach Road, Sutherlands Creek that were planted 1998. Vines grow on predominantly on grey and brown loams and clay loams, with fragmented Granite. It receives 25% new French Oak and undergoes a natural ferment. For maturation is rests on full lees solids for about 8 months in barrel.
Maker:
The sum of each part is greater. The name Mulline is a blend name from two Bens, Ben Mullen + Ben Hine. Their focus is producing premium wines out of Geelong.
Ben Mullen makes the wines. After deciding wine was more fun that marketing, he switched from business and marketing to Viticulture and Oenology at Adelaide University. Armed with a degree, he set off on a whirlwind journey making wine all over the globe. Of note, Ben has worked at Torbreck (Barossa Valley, South Australia), Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, Victoria), Oakridge (Yarra Valley, Victoria), Domaine Dujac (Burgundy, France), Craggy Range (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand) and Clyde Park (Bannockburn, Geelong, Victoria). With this start studded background, it wasn't long before Ben Mullen decided to spread his wings and make wine under his own label. Ben Mullen is the Winemaker at Mulline Vintners.
Ben Hine moves the wines. Also born in South Australia, Hine began his working career in hospitality. His passion for food, wine and hospitality has endured since. After finishing study, Ben Hine has worked in law and is now a senior lawyer working in the financial services and risk industry. With that background, he has a head for business and knows a thing or two about drinking wine. Ben Hine is the As the Business Manager at Mulline Vintners.
Halliday notes,"Mulline is a winery built to last." Their dedication to environmentally friendly practices is indicative of their long foresight, and one of the many reasons they were voted top 100 Wineries of 2023. Mulline adopts environmentally friendly practices wherever possible, in their own vineyard they use as few non-organic materials as possible to maximise microbial activity and soil health, and investing in best-in-class fuel efficient vehicles. Partnering with growers who share our viticulture philosophy. Using screwcap closures which have significantly less spoilage than traditional cork and can be recycled through most kerbside recycling systems. Using locally produced, lightweight glass bottles which use less raw materials and require substantially less energy throughout their lifecycle to the point of recycling. Not limited to this and ever improving. They are an assuring presence in the industry. Making good wines the right way, and not at the expense of the planet.
Together 'Mulline's' mission is to craft exceptional structural wines that capture the unique character and freshness of the Geelong Region, both from single sites and broader regional blends. By experimenting with various grape varieties and winemaking styles, Mulline highlights the region’s unique microclimates, soil compositions, and seasonal variations through its Single Vineyard wines. The Geelong Region range features expertly blended fruit from multiple sites, deftly crafted by Ben Mullen to showcase the finest expressions of each variety and the essence of each vintage in the Geelong Region.
The Vineyards:
Since its inception, Mulline has collaborated with local growers and sourced fruit across the region, aiming to create remarkable cool climate wines that enhance appreciation for Geelong’s distinctive subregions: Moorabool Valley, Bellarine Peninsula, and Surf Coast.
Moorabool Valley, between Geelong and Ballarat. The climate is mediterranean and the warmest and driest of the three subregions. There are two vineyard sources, Sutherlands Creek (Pettaval Vineyard) on grey and brown loams and clay loams with granite, planted 1988 to 1998. Low planted, close (1 metre) rows in the French style. Bannockburn (Bannockburn Vineyards) consists of limestone clay with a very shallow topsoil horizon, planted 1990 to 1996. A landmark vineyard.
Bellarine Peninsula South-west of Melbourne surrounded by Port Phillip, Corio Bay and Bass Strait. Maritime climate with views of the You Yangs and Melbourne CBD. Two sources of fruit here, the first is Portarlington (Nurringa Park Vineyard) which is leased by Mulline. Here there is sandy loam with dark clay over iron stone, planted 1994. Gentle slopes, close planted with uninterrupted coastal breeze. Then there's Drysdale (Leech Vineyard) on grey sandy loam over yellow light clay, planted 1998. A flat and lush vineyard.
Surf Coast subregion is home of the iconic Great Ocean Road, spectacular coastline, rainforests and beaches. Higher rainfall, long summer days and cooling ocean winds. Modewarre (Brown Magpie Vineyard) has sandy loam with layers of clay, estuary marl then limestone, planted 2001 to 2002. A protected and lovingly tended patch.
Special mention to the outskirts of Geelong. Barrabool Hills A pocket on the periphery of Geelong with remarkable steep ridges and impressive revegetation and sustainability credentials, sitting outside of the 3 recognised subregions. Barrabool | Barwon Ridge Vineyard. Limestone and basalt base, planted 1999. Recognised sustainability certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, soaring views across Moorabool Valley and Bellarine Peninsula.
Nose - Just Ripe White Peach, White Flowers, Oyster Shell
Complex aromas of grapefruit pith, just-ripe white peach, jasmine, bath salts and a slaty minerality.
Palate - Gentle Cream, Grilled Peach, Preserved Lemon
Grapefruit, grilled peach, citrus and smoked cedarwood characters come laced with minerality & struck match.
Finish - Pithy Citrus, Nutty Oak, Slate
Persistent and nicely structured palate. It’s very, very good now, but no problems ageing this for another four to six years.
Barrel fermented with full solids and matured in 25% new French barriques and puncheons with only the new barrels going through mlf. Aromas of pure white peach, gentle vanillin from the well-handled oak, white flowers and flecks of flint and oyster shells. There’s a gentle creaminess on the elegant, persistent and nicely structured palate. It’s very, very good now, but no problems ageing this for another four to six years. Geelong chardonnay doesn’t get much better. – Wine Philip Rich, Halliday’s Wine Companion, 97 Points & Special Value.
There's lovely brightness, life and vivacity in the glass. Complex aromas of grapefruit pith, just-ripe white peach, jasmine, bath salts and a slaty minerality. Focused, textured and mouth-filing, a really impressive mouthful of wine. There's lashings of pithy citrus and nutty oak and the acidity brings lovely shape to the table. This is really classy gear—benchmark stuff. - Aaron Brasher, The Real Review, 96 Points.
This is another excellent chardonnay from Mulline. The power, the poise and the persistence are all A-class, the presence the perfect icing. Grapefruit, grilled peach, citrus and smoked cedarwood characters come laced with mineral, struck match and a preserved lemon note. It seduces as it soars. It will only get better over the next few years. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Geelong, Victoria
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
