Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2021
- 95
- $90
- Drink by: 2022-2035
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Not the easiest of vintages in Margaret River with a mix of rain, humidity and COVID-induced staff shortages producing some nerve-wracking moments. All of which, makes the arrival of this little 2021 stunner all that more impressive. Barely changes gear from the previous and much-celebrated 2020 vintage. Indeed, the 2021 retains the same level of sophistication and detail. Can be summed up in just a few words: flinty, fine, zesty, citrussy, bright and focused. Intense white peach, nectarine, lime peel, citrus blossom aromas abide; enough to get lost in. Expect juiciness across the palate with a chalky, pithy mouthfeel and mineral-like acidity which allows the silky flow of fruit flavours and quiet oak integration to shine. The result is an example of purity of expression in Chardonnay.
Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.
