New Release | Now Sold Out
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.
The vineyard is planted with mature vines, the cool and dry climate ideal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of exceptional quality. Made in tiny quantities, Tolpuddle Chardonnay is highly sought after by lovers of premium Australian Chardonnay; this 2020 Tolpuddle Chardonnay is again in fine form.
"This wine shows white floral and lemon barley notes on the nose. Classic Tolpuddle backbone of acidity, yellow grapefruit, lemon pith, and some flinty minerality. A combination of lightness, delicacy, texture, and extract. A touch of lees derived shortbread flavour adds complexity. This wine has a great future. All fruit was hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak. The wine spent ten months in barrel with gentle stirring as required, then rested in tank on lees for a further 4 months."- Tolpuddle Wines.
Reviews of the 2019 vintage included below;
"98 Points. 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. $84. Screwcap. 13% alc. Drink by 2033." - James Halliday, Top 100 Wines 2020.
"98 Points. A very impressive and seamless Chardonnay that is all class from start to finish. It bursts from the glass with lemon meringue, peach skin and floral aromas that are tight, compact and incredibly focussed, all supported by flinty, spicy oak complexity. The palate is equally explosive - bright and vibrant fruit that is embryonic with crystal clear fruit purity and lifted by savoury smoky, flinty leesy complexity. There is classic creamy chardonnay texture would up tight by a bolt of Tasmanian acidity to provide the most complete Tolpuddle Chardonnay yet. Immense length tops it off beautifully - a clear candidate for this year’s top Chardonnay. $84 Drink: 2020 - 2032" - Angus Hughson, winepilot.com.
