$75.00
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Region: Beechworth
Grapes: Chardonnay
First Glance: Struck Match, Stonefruit, Hazelnut, Fine Acid
Acclaim: 95pts
The Wine:
Vintage 2023 was an exceptional vintage for Beechworth Chardonnay. Initially, it looked quite dire with wet weather dominating early in the season. The weather improved at flowering which facilitated an ideal crop which ensured the ripeness of the vintage.
A serious cerebral wine of great focus and precision. Sophisticated, elegant, focused, intense, textural with great length and acidity. Frère Cadet is made identically as the Estate Chardonnay. The same care attention to old world traditions. Unrushed, allowing nature to do the work at her own pace. The only difference is the vineyard, run by some talented vignerons, located a few kilometers from Savaterre in the Beechworth region.
Straw gold with a green chartreuse border. On the nose it initially reserved but after a few minutes it starts to reveal itself. Complex with crystalline purity. Aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, lime blossom, lemon, white flowers, hazelnut brioche with a hint of toasted wood and gun smoke.
The palate is fine and silky with a myriad of flavours reflecting the aroma blending in youthful harmony. There is a crisp acidity which is a hallmark of the vintage and an excellent indicator for the ageing potential of this wine. A sophisticated powerful wine of finesse with beguiling texture and great length. While it it is labelled Frère Cadet (younger brother) it is by no means a second wine. Only one from a different Terroir.
The Review:
Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion - 95pts
"An exceptional vintage, which in Beechworth generally equals exceptional chardonnay. You won't be disappointed. Made in the style of Savaterre chardonnay with fruit sourced from a nearby vineyard, it brings the same luxurious class to the grape. Intense, fragrant aromas and layers of flavour in Asian pear, lemon tart, lime zest, white peach and summer stone fruits with toasted hazelnuts. Offers a multi-dimensional escape into chardonnay where richness meets complexity meets a fine-edged acid tension meets warm toasted oak meets delicious drinking. It's chewy and nicely grippy to close, with spice lasting long into the finish."
