2022 Special Reserve Chardonnay

Rich, creamy, and luscious.

VARIETY  The Australian Chardonnay story began in Mudgee, with local Alf Kurtz growing unidentified Chardonnay cuttings taken from James Busby’s original collection. In the early 1970s, wine from the Kurtz grapes was made and labelled as Australia’s first Chardonnay. Chardonnay goes in and out of fashion, but with multiple plantings on different soil types, altitude and orientation, dating back to the mid ‘70s, our love affair with the King of White Wines is enduring and true. 

WINEMAKING This is my favourite of the Reserve Chardonnays so far - it really hits the mark for texture, flavour and balance. 21/02/23: 3.32T of fruit was hand-picked from 20 year old vines from Block 17 at 12.7Bé. Whole-bunches were crushed with only the free-run juice used to minimise phenolics. Chilled & settled for 3 days then racked into 4 French oak hogsheads (big barrels for a lighter touch) - 1 new, the others well seasoned - and stored in a cool room. 1 barrel wild ferment, the other 3 were innoculated with cultured yeast.The barrels were stirred weekly for the first 3 months, then monthly for the 6 months until bottling to distribute the lees and oak contact. Bottled 12/9/22 at 13.94% alc/vol.

IN GLASS Pale gold, green hues.

IN NOSE  Just-ripe pear, lemon, cashew and a lick of white pepper. 

IN MOUTH  Pleasing complexity of flavour (citrus, pear & cashew) and texture, well-integrated, subtle oak. Refreshing and juicy but at the same time creamy. Long and well balanced with good drive. A lovely lingering, clean and fruity lemon-y finish.

DRINK WITH Roast chicken.

CELLAR TO 2032. Note: The 2016 Special Reserve is drinking beautifully now - I would buy enough to drink some now, and hold on to a few for 7+ years to enjoy as they mature. 

ACCLAIM

95/100 "This harmonious wine made from hand-picked grapes and free-run juice displays all the hallmarks of classic cool-climate characteristics. The fruit profile is firmly anchored in the citrus / melon range. The French oak, natural acid freshness and wild yeast components frame and support the generosity of primary, typical cool-climate Chardonnay aromas and flavours. Whilst presenting superbly now, a cellar stint would allow for further integration. This is a Chardonnay of structure and attitude which would grace any table or cellar." GILBERT LABOUR 2024

94/100 "Finer and leaner than the Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, this Huntington Estate Special Reserve is excellent. The precision is clear and it is most enticing. Whole bunch pressed, only free run juice was used. Racked to French oak (25% new), of the four barrels, one went to wild fermentation and the other three were inoculated spending six months in oak all up. Scents of creme brulee immediately captivate and have me hooked. Layered, waves of white fleshed nectarines and peaches mingle with cashews and wafer biscuits. It possesses a glorious mouthfeel with a fabulous rounded width. Subtle ginger spices are flirtatious and tack themselves onto a persistent and satisfying finish. Drops of lemon juice tease and have the parting word. This is a very impressive wine." QWINE 2024

90/100 "Pale straw hue. Ripe pineapple, bacon fat and baking bread aromatics. Full and ripe stone fruits on entry, a richer style with sweet oak characters well matched to the fruit intensity. Enough acidity is found towards the back of the palate so it lightens and cleans the reasonably long finish." THE REAL REVIEW 2024

"What a superb wine- subtle, elegant bouquet of stone fruit and limes, gorgeous creamy, silky smooth palate with lashings of classy flavours and a divine finish.  MAGNIFICENT!!" DAN TRAUCKI 2024