The Tolpuddle vineyard, planted in the Coal River valley in 19988 was purchased by the Shaw + Smith boys in 2011 and they immediately set about investing in the vineyard with the vision of creating one of Australia’s greet terroirs. Hand-picked, who bunched pressed and matured in French barriques (1/3 new) and put through a 100% malolactic fermentation, this was a classic from the first vintage in 2012, combining power with purity and a wine that can be put up against the best from Australia and Burgundy.
A strikingly beautiful chardonnay with its flowery bouquet bearing witness to the sheer purity of the incredibly long palate, the full palette of chardonnay flavours on display. Nectarine, white peach and grapefruit zest are sewn together by an invisible silver thread of acidity.
98 points, Wine Companion (November 2020)
This has power and complexity and the right grade of reductive flair, overlaid on fresh yellow grapefruit and peach with flint and wet chalk, as well as attractive oak in the background. The palate has mouthwatering white-peach and lemon flavors with a deep draw of acidity that drives the finish in really deep, precise and fresh. Lip-smacking resolve here. Elegance, poise and whip-cracking freshness.
98 points, JamesSuckling.com (September 2020)
