2023 Savaterre Chardonnay

Highly Rated
One of Australia's finest Chardonnays and in winemaker Keppel Smith's words, "Prodigious from the word go."
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

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Description

Keppell Smith first laid eyes on what would become the Savaterre vineyard back in 1996, a granite-rich slope on Beechworth’s legendary “Golden Mile”. Since then, his Chardonnays have carved out a place among the most profound in the country - complex, long-lived, and completely world-class.

The 2023 release follows the brilliant 2022, and while it brings the same depth and power, this vintage shows even greater restraint and detail. Long, warm days and cool nights allowed for a slow, graceful ripening, and the result is a tightly coiled, age-worthy wine of precision and poise. “These are the years for finesse and precision,” says Keppell. “It’s a serious, cerebral wine of great focus.” There’s real intensity here, but it’s harnessed by structure, tension and clarity.

In the glass: straw yellow with silvery flecks. Aromatically, it’s a study in quiet confidence - lime blossom, white nectarine, beeswax and sandalwood, with flickers of hazelnut and pink grapefruit. The palate is all structure and line, with incredible drive, length, and a whisper of old-world charm. Decant if drinking young - this wine will continue to build and evolve over two decades.

One of Australia’s great Chardonnays, from one of the most detail-obsessed producers in the game.

98 points
"A great chardonnay of terrific refinement and formidable power."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

97 points
"A double wow kind of chardonnay, such is the level of deep concentration and the purity of flavour and delivery."
- Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points
"There’s some almond creaminess in the mix too. It’s finer and less flavour packed than some of the prior vintages, but gee I love its delicacy. Superb."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

98 points - “Bright medium-light yellow colour; aromas of matchstick/gunflint reduction overlying grapefruit/citrus and biscuit nuances. In the mouth, very intense flavours of tightly focused but generously proportioned citrus/grapefruit and smoked charcuterie - impressively deep and very long lasting. A great chardonnay of terrific refinement and formidable power.” - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

97 points - “A double wow kind of chardonnay, such is the level of deep concentration and the purity of flavour and delivery. Shows a sophisticated side, complex in construction and taste, led by white peach, nectarine, grapefruit pith and peel, spice, and a savoury almond influence that lifts both aromatically and flavour-wise. Walks, as ever, a fine line between generosity and fineness, the latter winning the day with some scintillating tangy acid drive in place. And the best part? This still has a long, long journey ahead.” - Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - “Lots of struck match that subsides given some air, white peach, citrus, almond, some spice and Japanese ginger. Tight, bright and spicy, grapefruity, lovely acid balance, mid-palate bite and intensity, though it’s a discreetly flavoured wine, and the finish is very long. There’s some almond creaminess in the mix too. It’s finer and less flavour packed than some of the prior vintages, but gee I love its delicacy. Superb.” - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
1 review
  • SR
    Stephen R.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    4 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Reviewing
    2019 Savaterre Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Stunning

    Year in, year out, one of the very best Chardonnay's in the country. Steely, Juicy, Structured, Polished. Meticulously made, this is glorious juice that is well worth your time.

Straw yellow with flecks of silver and chanteuse reflecting in the light.

Initial aromas of lime blossom, toasted hazelnut, white nectarines, pink
grapefruit, bee’s wax and sandalwood.

Prodigious from the word go.

Initial taste reveals a sophisticated, elegant, textural wine with incredible
power and length.

Classic old world structure frames the wine carrying the flavors to a long and satisfying finish.

Even as a young wine its potential is so obvious.

This wine will age beautifully for 20 years.

If consuming under 5 years please decant for at least an hour for maximum enjoyment. Will continue to improve over
the next 8 – 15 years.

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Beechworth
Australian State VIC
Feature High Score
Reviewed By The Wine Front
Halliday Wine Companion
The Real Review
Critic Score 98
97
96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

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