Decades Coal River Chardonnay 2023

DECADES is a collaborative project between these two characters [Steve Flamsteed, perhaps best known for his time in charge at Giant Steps, and Brad Rogers, co-founder of Stone & Wood] who first met whilst studying wine science at Adelaide University 35 years ago, and have always joked about starting a small production, high quality wine label together.  When this vineyard [Coal River, Tasmania] came up for grabs they jumped on it. Fast forward two years and we have the first release of wines from the 2023 vintage; Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and they could not be happier with the quality, though no surprises granted their resumes and respective skillsets.

We tasted these recently and share in the excitement behind the wines. Please read full reviews via the link in bio. @ @

Steve Flamsteed has played a major role in the refinement of Australian chardonnay over the past 20 years and all that intuitive understanding pays off here. This is exquisitely uncluttered, a wine of confident purity that allows a great site to speak without shouting. White flowers, nectarines and grapefruit pith. A gentle suggestion of nougat and wild honey smoothing out its core, a crystalline and propulsive acidity elongating and substantiating its finish. 96 points, Nick Ryan, The Australian.

Our 2023 Chardonnay has a minerally structure with a real fruit purity. We wanted to explore what the site had to offer in a lovely cool year, so we kept the winemaking very simple.

The fruit was hand-picked, sorted and whole bunch pressed straight into a selection of large format seasoned French oak barrels for wild fermentation. Half the barrels went through a spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The result is a citrus, elegant wine with a lovely underlying acidity - subtle with plenty of fruit presence. Winery's Notes.