Yabby Lake Vineyard was established by the Kirby family in 1998, in Tuerong, which is located in the northern part of the peninsula.  Over the past decade, the vineyard has built a reputation for single vineyard chardonnay and pinot noir of great purity and character. Led by winemaker Tom Carson, the philosophy is to craft wines that speak of site and the season in which they were grown.  It’s the attention and care in the vineyard that is most critical to allowing this expression.

This chardonnay is a blend of P58 clone and Mendoza clone, hand selected from three vineyard blocks on the property. This wine reflects our philosophy at Yabby Lake - to craft wines that reflect the spirit of the season and vineyard. The fruit was handpicked, with each block handled separately in the winery to ensure each parcel could reach its potential. The fruit was whole bunch pressed into tight grain French oak barriques (10% new). All wild ferment.

The '23 vintage is a carbon copy of the ’22 in terms of yields – as in low, so again, no single-block chardonnay or pinot noir was made. But similarly, quality is up there. Expect a special wine with its citrus and white nectarine profile, the layers of spice, creamy lees and judicious oak inclusion. The palate is at once flavoursome yet finely tuned with all-important acidity in the lead, keeping this lively and moreish. Date: Feb 2024; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $50.00; Drink by: 2033; Rating: 96 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion