Small Wonder Auburn Tasmanian Chardonnay 2023

This is not a loud Chardonnay – Tasmania rarely, if ever, does loud – and so there is a delicacy observed which should not be lost to being chilled to near frozen. So, don’t. Aromatic citrus blossom scents, white peach, nectarine, grapefruit, sea spray and toasty oak light up the aroma. It follows nicely on to the palate where citrus, apple, pear, quince, stone fruits and a splash of spice flow gently. The wine’s youth is still obvious, and oak – the wine saw 30% new French oak – is more of a feature at the moment. That said, there is a pure expression of fruit with some nicely judged grip and leesy density in play, together with a minerality that contributes to a crisp palate. A saline-grapefruit pith tartness to close gets the lips smacking. NOTE: This new Auburn series is sourced from Tasmania and not the wine village of the same name in the Clare Valley.