2023 A. Rodda Baxendale Vineyard Chardonnay

Adrian Rodda started making wine in 1998, where he worked at Oakridge Wines in the Yarra Valley for over a decade. In 2010, Adrian moved to Beechworth in Northeast Victoria to make Chardonnay from the Smiths Vineyard, the oldest vineyard in modern Beechworth. In 2012, he started the "Chardonnay Project," where he sources grapes from the Willow Lake Vineyard in the Yarra Valley and makes wine alongside the Smiths Vineyard Chardonnay. In 2017, a third Chardonnay was added from the Baxendale Vineyard at Whitlands in the cool upper reaches of Northeast Victoria. The Baxendale Vineyard was planted in 1995 on volcanic soils at an elevation of 600m. Handpicked grapes are pressed to 500l French oak barrels (33% being new barrels) for fermentation and 12 months of maturation on lees.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews....
Whitlands, planted 1995 and sitting at 600 meters above the level of the sea.
A real salt-crusted lime Margarita affair here, with green olive, green apple, and a fair bit of struck match. It’s tight and saline, pink grapefruit, lots of zip to acidity, fine chalky grip, and so much energy, a little clove and ginger spice via sensible oak input, with a zesty finish of excellent length. Here’s a spicy and electric example of modern Australian Chardonnay. Drink 2024 - 2032+
95 Points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front