Castelli Estate Great Southern Chardonnay 2023
- 94
- $37
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A mix of vineyards from Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker, and a set of clones that includes WA’s renowned Gin Gin variation. The 2023 ripening season was colder and longer than average, and the fruit clearly appreciated it, coming from the glass at first with plenty of fruit punch and tight, earthy aromatics, followed by a surging palate wave of spiced peach and yellow grapefruit flavours. That spice is a subtle ginger thrill – thank the Gin Gin clone for that – as well as nuanced French oak in support, 35% of that new and humbly supportive. Now we add up all of this and the sum is bloody delicious, bright and refreshing wine that celebrates the Chardonnay grape in this particular regional home with a most respectful touch of winemaking. Bravo.
Tony is best known for his 10 years as News Corp’s National Wine Writer, with weekly columns in major metropolitan mastheads throughout Australia including The Adelaide Advertiser, The Sydney Daily Telegraph and the Melbourne Herald Sun. He continues to write feature articles and columns for all the major Australian wine media publications. Tony has also worked as a restaurant reviewer, section editor, book editor, digital content provider, journalism teacher and was named Wine Communicators of Australia 2018 Legend of the Vine (SA). Find out more about Tony at tonylove.com.au
