Patrick Sullivan 'Black Sands' Chardonnay 2024

"The power of volcanic soils with fruit" Pat tells us. The power of the wine is certainly evident, as it is across all four of the 2024s. It’s an impressive introduction to the new releases, with a well-balanced delivery of stone fruit, intense citrus concentrate and glazed acidity. – Ches Cook, FWC. 

Lemon and ginger, lemongrass, almond, a little oyster shell salinity. It’s a tight and frisky wine, lots of zip and energy, maybe a little too much sour green apple and bony texture, some chamomile mouth-perfume, lemon peel, lime and licking a 9V battery zip with a dash of Angostura bitters on a finish of good length. Almost a Riesling character to this wine. I like it. Has energy, though maybe doesn’t talk to Chardonnay so much.

Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

This vineyard is located a short distance to the west of the township of
Heywood in western Victoria. Planted in 1990 by Alistair and Alice Taylor,
the vineyard has produced some of the most interesting and pronounced
chardonnay grown in Australia. The soil is a unique shallow blend of black
volcanic sand and basalt over pure white limestone that runs deep.

NOSE: Lemon rind, almond meal, ripe stone fruit.

PALATE: Powerful yet ethereal with a creamy texture and refreshing acidity that drives the wine. A chalky, saline finish adds depth and length, balancing power with finesse. Patrick’s notes.