Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown 'Village' Chardonnay 2024

Tess and Jeremy can do no wrong in our eyes. Their ‘village’ release Chardonnay from 2024 is outstanding, and particularly appealing when you see the price. The ‘house style’ is nicely maintained in this vintage, and the wine shares ample similarities to its big brother ‘Thorley’ Chardonnay (which we were waxing lyrical about last summer) despite being from Whitlands as opposed to home-base Stanley/Beechworth. Tension is a key word here: acid is zingy and electric yet in no way obtrusive. Instead, notes of fleshy white stone fruit are draped over the acid, supported by integrated meal and cashew-nut flavours. Ripeness is spot-on and nothing is out of place. Fantastic drinking. – Ches Cook, FWC.