97 Points - Huon Hooke | 97 Points - Jeni Port
Acclaimed Mornington Peninsula-based Yabby Lake embarked on an exciting new chapter in 2022, when they purchased a vineyard site in Tasmania's Coal River Valley. Continuing their long-held objective of crafting single vineyard wines of great purity and character, their Coal River Chardonnay and Pinot Noir releases have already attracted a huge following.
The 2025 Yabby Lake Coal River Chardonnay opens with aromas of citrus blossom and orchard fruits, hazelnut and a hint of struck match. The palate is concentrated and rounded with seriously impressive texture and mouthfeel, the acidity runs in tandem with the fruit and the finish is precise and long. Another brilliant Coal River Chardonnay release from Yabby Lake that is already receiving plenty of widespread acclaim.
"97 Points. Hails from the Coal River Valley and in this cool, southerly Tassie sub-region, the ’25 vintage shone with a warm and extended summer. This sets the scene for a wine that combines intensity and concentration of fruit flavour - pure cool climate class - while sporting an equally sunny disposition. Sustained aromas of spring florals, white peach, quince, citrus, grapefruit, hazelnut and biscuit. Seamless to taste, in fact, it’s an utter joy. In keeping with Yabby Lake style, French oak plays a role, an enlivening condiment, with 20% new oak in play and it helps bring a warm umami textural note as well as a gentle, biscuity toast and nuttiness. A deep sustained palate picks up touches of gingery spice as it flows through to the finish, contributing yet another layer in this multi-layered, elegant Chardonnay. All class."- Jeni Port, Wine Pilot.
"97 Points. Yabby Lake has been venturing into the Coal River region since 2022. And as a result - wow, what an entrance! Without further ado, a nougatine, white chocolate and pink grapefruit medley sets the scene, with nectarine, pineapple, cracked vanilla and smoked almond following the lead. While the texture rolls like the dice on the casino table, the acidity is there, reassuringly keeping everything in check and giving a tonic lift, creating enough tension as the palate prepares for the grand finale, which goes on and on - until you pour another glass, because this is simply too tasty to stop at one."- Lisa Cardelli, Wine Pilot.
"97 Points. Very light straw-yellow colour; rather pungent reduction is the first aroma. The wine is savoury and gently sulfide influenced on palate also, and there is wonderful citrus and stone fruit lurking underneath. There are some balanced phenolics drying the finish. The sulfide is a bit challenging, but may reward generous aeration or decanting. It has terrific fruit intensity on the palate which is what really counts. A chardonnay with attitude!"- Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
