Bindi - Macedon Ranges
“Winemaker Michael Dhillon is obsessed with capturing the essence of his quartz riddled site in every bottle he produces, and manages his vines using a combination of biodynamic and biological techniques. Pinot Noir gets most attention – and it deserves the accolades – but many suspect history will show Bindi to be an even better Chardonnay vineyard: the Quartz Chardonnay has an underlying minerality rarely seen outside Chablis’ grand cru sites.” Max Allen
Bindi 'Kostas Rind' Chardonnay 2019
As is normal, each barrel was filled directly from the press tray and a small amount of So2 was added. The wild yeast generally take five days to begin to ferment the sugars and most barrels took five to six weeks to complete the fermentation. The wine spent 11 months in barrel. Every so often we fall in love with a particular wine. Of course we enjoy and admire each of the wines in every year for their personality and delicious nature but every so often there's a wine that really captures our affection. The 2019 Kostas Rind Chardonnay is one such wine. This wine gives and hides, has forward characters and as well as restraint. There are the usual floral and blossom aromas mixed with citrus, spice and chalkiness. There is a lovely depth of stone fruit concentration. The palate is initially supple then intensifies and brightens and has beautiful texture, harmony and length. It really is very delicious! This is the 29th wine from this vineyard (Est. 1988) and we can comfortably say it will improve for six to ten years and drink well over a 15 to 20 year window. Michael Dhillon, Bindi
A bottle of this was opened all of 2 hours after the wine arriving into stock. It’s a Chardonnay to contemplate and to watch evolve over time in the glass. Certainly over the few hours we had it open, the wine revealed itself more and more and changed shape (with temperature also playing an important role). There is a lot going on here: white flowers and some citrus on the nose, a palate of crackling acidity and nerve, some stone fruit, and then layer upon layer of meal, oat and nut. It has a deep concentration and an effortless delivery of flavour. Ches Cook, FWC.
A more relaxed feel to Kostas Rind from this release. Lots of interest, just this textural feel that I haven’t seen for a while. Lovely stuff. Supple and mellow in its vibe but dances with its light and lacy flavours and pretty scents. Lots of just-ripe stone fruit, lemon balm, soft talc-like minerally characters, faint Parisian almond and halva with a building core of grapefruity acidity that rolls long through the cool and brittle-bright finish. It’s gentle in a way, speaks softy, a little unassured, let’s say. In all that, a comforting, gentle approach and gigantic appeal; this misses nothing in its roll call of detail. Very good drinking, even right now. 95 Points – Mike Bennie, The Wine Front. Drink 2020-2028.
