Brown Brothers Patricia Chardonnay 2021

Brown Brothers began purchasing vineyards in Tasmania in 2010, recognising the pristine cool climate was perfect for their world-class Patricia range. This chardonnay comes from sites on Tasmania’s east coast and the Tamar Valley with the added bonus of a cool vintage year. It has aromas of chamomile, fine slivers of glistening grapefruit and the perfumed lift of lemon sorbet. With time in the glass, savoury characters of lime leaf and the minerality of wet stones are joined by a whisp of wild honey.

This aromatic delicacy leads to a surprising richness on the palate – a mouth-filling, silky texture with fantastic concentration. There’s baskets of just-picked citrus fruit and white nectarine. This is Burgundy-inspired winemaking, with natural yeast fermentation, 37% new French oak, 11 months on less with regular stirring and full malolactic fermentation. It achieves a beautiful balance of creamy, yet crisp acidity and that delightfully indulgent texture. Pair with toasted walnut baguette topped with marinated figs and a slab of oozing triple cream Brie.

Nicole Bilson

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

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