Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown 'Thorley' Chardonnay 2021
I absolutely love this. You’ve got to like a bit of acid in your Chardonnay, but it doesn’t dominate the wine. Rather, it acts as a frame from which white peach and white nectarine hang off, seamlessly integrating with other flavours of cut green apple, red apple skin, ginger and meal. It pulses with energy and has a bite of fleshy fruit to close. I love Mike Bennie’s (Wine Front) comment on this when he says “Phwoar, haven’t VS&B nailed chardonnay in 2021.” – Ches Cook, FWC.
MB: Succulent, quietly powerful, green apple, just-ripe nectarine, a touch of ginger, some green almond, licks of nougat and a faint saline mineral edge in there too. Beautiful, gently floral perfume with the rest of those characters I wrote before. The palate a swish and swizzle of pretty fruit, savoury elements, cool, high toned acidity, a faint rose water character, which is interesting, and, like Brunnen, exceptional length and freshness. Phwoar, haven?t VS&B nailed chardonnay in 2021. 95 points. Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
GW: White peach, cedar and cinnamon quills, a little mint, chamomile, ginger. It?s light, cool feel to it, some green olive, gentle saline character, a light dusty texture studded with sweet spice and almond, with a fine powdery grip on a finish of excellent length. Calm, fine-boned, and beautifully turned out. It?s some drink. 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.