2023 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay

Highly Rated
Excellent, elegant cool-climate Chardonnay from the Lenswood sub region of the Adelaide Hills.
4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
3 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$40.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Jemma and Steve Fielke are quickly gaining a following for this beautifully crafted Lenswood Chardonnay. From a single vineyard high in the Adelaide Hills, this Chardonnay is all about balance. The east-facing vines enjoyed an extended, gentle ripening, giving sky-high acidity, ripe flavour, and modest alcohol.

Their winemaking approach is lo-fi yet precise: whole bunch pressing, a mix of 20% new oak, seasoned oak, and stainless steel, with wild fermentation leading the way. Sulphur was added only after natural malolactic fermentation in late spring. No fining, no filtering—just pure, eight-month-matured Chardonnay.

The result is a taut, minerally Chardonnay with a savoury backbone. Rich in fruit, textured, and savoury, it's lucid and revealing with each sip. Crafted with care and bottled with soul, this is small-batch Chardonnay as it should be—pure vineyard expression. Don’t wait too long; only a small amount was made in 2023 and it will likely disappear fast.

96 points
"Superb chardonnay of immense character and personality... A nod in the direction of Jura chardonnay, no doubt, so fanciers of those wines should line up here, too. That being said, unique, distinct, distinguished, complex and super high-ranking in drinkability. Utter charm."
- Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points
"Well, if you liked the 2022, you’re pretty much in for more of the same here, though if anything, it seems perhaps a little more finely-wrought... Such an engaging wine, and different too; walks its own walk, and talks a bit funny compared to your usual Hills Chardonnay, though that’s absolutely part of its charm. This is the way."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

The 2023 Lenswood Chardonnay is a single vineyard wine. This wine was picked on the 13th of April, from a 40 year old I10V1 vineyard, with an East facing aspect protecting it from the afternoon sun. The very cool, gentle season lead to the latest pick we have had from this vineyard, maintaining high acid and ripe flavours at a lower alcohol. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and settled overnight without additions, before barrelling down with solids to 20% new oak, 50% two to four year old oak and 30% stainless steel, for a wild fermentation. No sulfur was added until malo naturally completed in the late spring. This allowed bottling without the need for fining or filtration after 8 months maturation.

95 points - "Well, if you liked the 2022, you’re pretty much in for more of the same here, though if anything, it seems perhaps a little more finely-wrought. It’s oxidative, saline and complex, bruised apples, lemon zest, curry leaf and chamomile, mint, a little struck match, but still has plenty of energy, with bright and tangy acid, mixed with all that oatmeal and umami character, a slight toffee pudding richness, drizzled with lemon sauce, fine chalky and dusty texture, and plenty of zip on a finish of excellent length. Such an engaging wine, and different too; walks its own walk, and talks a bit funny compared to your usual Hills Chardonnay, though that’s absolutely part of its charm. This is the way." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

96 points - "Superb chardonnay of immense character and personality. Whiffs and licks of ground hazelnut, sea spray, light honeycomb, hazy apple juice, brown lime and curry leaf with a suggestion of lemon verbena and alpine herbs. It has depth and general richness but ultimately feels really fresh and lively. A nod in the direction of Jura chardonnay, no doubt, so fanciers of those wines should line up here, too. That being said, unique, distinct, distinguished, complex and super high-ranking in drinkability. Utter charm." - Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)

Customer Reviews

4.7
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars
Based on 3 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 2 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
3 reviews
  • AG
    Anne G.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    8 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Chardonnay to love

    This is a cracker! Delicious... I had to buy a few more.

  • CC
    Cameron C.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    9 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2022 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Surprisingly indulgent

    Ntty, saline notes, butterscotch, apple and stone fruit. Heaps of flavour and creamy texture. Perfume matching that butterscotch/caramel note for me. Reasonably long finish also. Quite tasty albeit a bit atypical from other Hills Chardonnay I've tried.

  • DS
    Damian S.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    9 months ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    2022 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay
    Reviewing
    2022 J&S Fielke Lenswood Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Really interesting and very good

    This is a great re-introduction to Chardonnay from this region. I think it’s reset the benchmark in fact. When you consider the oldies like Yattarna and Petaluma Chardonnay.

    The first thing I notice is how classy the oak is - they must have used some tip-top barrels here. Then the fruit has a wonderful silkiness to it with Xmas spices coming through lightly., couple with a light chicken broth thing.

    I really like it. It didn’t line up the Raveneau promise which I equate to crystalline and tense Chardonnay. This is more Mersault or Challonaise to my taste. But whatever your reference, it’s very good and great value to boot.

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J&S Fielke

Jemma & Steve Fielke are two names you need to put on your radar.

Born and raised in the Adelaide Hills, the two met while studying Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide and have since spawned this boutique wine label with big plans on the horizon.

They have planted out parts of Jemma's family property in the Hills to one day make their own estate-grown wines but in the meantime, they are sourcing small parcels from Piccadilly and making some profoundly delicious wines.

The word on the street is these two will be big players in the future of the Hills. Get in now on the ground floor of this exciting emerging project.

Jemma & Steve Fielke

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