The best winemakers have a few things in common: attention to detail is always put at a premium, passion, creativity and uncompromising standards.
Luke Lambert is one of these winemakers. His unwillingness to compromise on the quality of his label is the theme of his 2020 release.
There will be no Lambert Syrah or Crudo Shiraz from 2020. The fruit did not ripen. The wines just weren't up to Luke's exacting standards. The Chardonnays, on the other hand, are looking excellent.
A new portion of the Tibooburra vineyard was added to the wine this year - a slope that faces North-West, planted at high-density, that catches a little more sunshine for the fruit. Adding this to the Eastern-facing block that Luke's taken for years has added another level of richness and concentration to the Lambert Chardonnay, without sacrificing the typical finesse and elegance that we see in Luke's white wines.
"Both blocks blended together add a few more layers of interest to the wine and a slightly richer mouthfeel while still retaining the coolness and elegance inherent in the Tibooburra Vineyard."
It's a masterful display of cool-climate winemaking. Long, fine, glassy, nipped with saline notes and minerality in a slender frame. It's a spine-tingling Chardonnay. And in the context of premium Yarra Valley Chardonnay, it offers superb value.
The other white wine released is the crowd-favourite, 2020 Crudo Chardonnay. Crudo has a little more flesh than the Lambert label, but still maintains its precision and focus, making it again one of the great bargains of Australian Chardonnay. Few sub-$30 whites have the impressive track record of the Crudo Chardonnay. As far as 'house wines' go, they don't come much classier.
Stocks on both wines from the Lambert family are extremely limited this year. Secure your allocations below.
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