From arguably the finest Yarra Valley Chardonnay vintage since 2017, the Levantine Hill Estate Chardonnay 2021 vintage house style deliberately eschews the modern trend of taut and fine-boned expressions, offering a defiant reclamation of the middle ground where body, flavour and palate weight can coexist with structure, texture and measured acidity.

Aromas of chalk, white nectarine, oyster shell, green olive brine, galangal, macadamia, rosemary and galangal with underlying toasty char, creme anglaise and Viennoiserie pastry complexity.

The palate is rich and silky texture over a medium-tensile acidity line that defines and supports an intensity and heft of boldness and weight. Flavours of quince, Golden Delicious apple, chamomile flowers, basil, almond meal and vanillin interplay with tactile calcareousness underpinning a biscuity texture. A lingering resonance of flavour on the long and textural palate.

A light yellow in the glass with an expansive nose of white peach, grapefruit and worked mealy richness. The palate is layered and plush with supple stone fruits awash with fresh fig and a precise thread of blanched almond and brioche. There is a savoury pull to finish with oak giving both texture and spice to what is flowing, textured stone fruits.
95 Points – Rick Eckel