Tolpuddle Coal River Valley Chardonnay Tasmania 2022

Description

The Tolpuddle Vineyard was purchased by Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw in 2011. First planted in 1988 by Tony Jordan and Garry Crittenden with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it has since established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes. The vineyard took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were transported to Australia in 1834 for starting an agrarian union. The leader of the group, George Loveless, served part of his sentence working on a property near Richmond called GlenAyr, part of which is now the Tolpuddle Vineyard.

Tolpuddle epitomises the modern Australian style of elegance and an emphasis on citrus rather than stone fruits, but in Tasmania it finds a most accommodating climate. I find Tolpuddle has a lovely lemon curd and sensuous texture around fresh macadamia nuts and oyster shell, rather than a forced and bracing acid style which can also exist in some self-designated cool-climate styles from the mainland.

Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented in French oak barrels with limited stirring. The bouquet and palate send the same message of perfectly captured white stone fruits, then apple and grapefruit. An irresistible wine with spectacular length.

“Light bright yellow with a smoky, nutty, barrel fermented bouquet which also packs seaspray/oyster-shell, mixed spices and talcy aromas into the mix. In the mouth it's very intense and focused, tensioned and crisp, without strident acidity but lovely refreshing properties. A superb wine, quietly complex and penetrating, obviously barrel-fermented but not showing too-overt oak. The acidity is bright and refreshing and cleanses the aftertaste. Amazing length. Magical stuff”. 98 Points Huon Hooke.

95 points. ‘Powerful reductive style, lemon, thistle, fresh bright acidity, big sweet toast, so young with time ahead. Beauty.’ International Wine Challenge 2024