Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley region of Southern Tasmania was established in 1988; taking its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs; English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith MW and Matthew Hill Smith purchased the vineyard in 2011 with a vision of making Tolpuddle one of Australia's great single vineyards.
Over the past decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of Australia's most acclaimed Chardonnays. Always made it tiny volumes, this is highly sought after and generally sells out within days of release. A product of a cooler, low yielding vintage with excellent concentration of flavour, the 2023 Tolpuddle Chardonnay is another spectacular release.
Reviews of the 2022 vintage below;
"98 Points. Another alluring Coal River chardonnay release from the folks at Tolpuddle. It's at once full and concentrated but is reined in by a tight framework of acidity, coiling on rails of minerality before powering across the palate. Tension and detail on point, light textural phenolic elements give it a sleek and silken mouthfeel. The fruit tones of white peach, nectarine and citrus are cloaked in soft spice, white floral tones, struck match, almond paste and crushed stone and the wine displays a stony elegance and seriousness on the long finish. If we were to talk in hushed tones about what would constitute a Tasmanian Grand Cru chardonnay, the Tolpuddle would be the front-runner. Superb. 13.5% alc. Drink: 2024 - 2034. Screwcap."- Dave Brookes, winecompanion.com.au.
"96 Points. It’s compact and tense, precise and poised. It tastes fancy from hello and asserts a strong riff of chardonnay’s best assets of green apple, briny acidity, savoury-nutty undertows with a slick of cedary, spicy, cinnamon-meets-clove oak seasoning well measured into it all. Spicy, indeed, refreshing in that way and coolness with a sense of exceptionally judged, just-ripe fruit rippling with authority through the wine. It’s a persistent wine, immensely satisfying with each sip staining the palate gently. Inherently complex, gulpable with drinkability, wonderfully evocative of a cool place. A brilliant, crystalline chardonnay expression on hand. Tasted: Sept 23. 13.5% alc. $100 Screwcap Drink: 2023 - 2030+"- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
