2024 Patrick Sullivan Ada River Chardonnay

Pat Sullivan’s flagship Chardonnay, this is the clearest window into his vision - pure, site-driven, and quietly confident in its place at the top of his range.
5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review

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Description

Pat Sullivan’s Ada River Chardonnay comes from a tiny, dry-grown vineyard in the rolling hills of Neerim South, right near Mt Baw Baw. It’s just a hectare of vines, planted into deep volcanic soils that bring a quiet energy and tension to the fruit. Pat lets that speak for itself - farming organically, fermenting wild, and keeping the winemaking simple.

This is a Chardonnay that feels both powerful and calm. There’s stone fruit and citrus up front, a flicker of spice and roasted hazelnut, and a salty, stony thing running through it that keeps everything in line. It’s got texture, it’s got crunch, and it finishes long and fine with that classic volcanic chalky feel.

It's not flashy or overworked - just a thoughtful, beautifully built wine from one of Gippsland’s most expressive sites.

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
  • NK
    Neil K.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    1 year ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    Reviewing
    2022 Patrick Sullivan Ada River Chardonnay
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Bonkers good chardonnay, one that takes Australian chardonnay in new refreshing directions

    I bought to this on recommendation to taste blind against a 1er cru Pouilly Fuisse. Although totally different, it more than held its own against its more famous competitor. To say I thought this wine was a revelation is an understatement. I was agog and have repeat bought since, as well as Sullivan's Bull Swamp chardonnay. Cool-climate chardonnay packed with flavours including a wonderful lime element, while maintaining lightness and poise. Immaculate balance and precision. Could be mistaken for a drier German kabinett riesling. Crazy good stuff. On my en primer wine buying Discord group I named this as my Wine of the Year.

The Ada River vineyard was planted by the Kelleher family at Neerim South in the foothills of Mount Baw Baw, Gippsland. The site is comprised of uniform volcanic soils which run deep into basalt rock. Clonal selection is kept to P58 and I10V1 with total Chardonnay plantings of just on a hectare. The vineyard is situated at 300m in elevation and has the fortune of 360-degree windbreaks which limit the occasional harsh winds pushing from the snowfields. The vineyard is 100% dry grown, evident through the intense fruit concentration.

Powerful yet graceful, acidity balanced by a smooth texture. The long and precise finish reveals a chalky minerality that adds depth and structure.

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type White
Body Full Bodied
Variety Chardonnay
Country Australia
Region Gippsland
Australian State VIC
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure DIAM Cork

Patrick Sullivan

The wild-haired Patrick Sullivan is a farmer first, a winemaker second.

His pride and joy is his vineyard in the Strzelecki Ranges in the Gippsland G.I. of Victoria. On this plot of land, Pat farms with organic principals alongside Bill Downie, one of the most revolutionary winemakers of his generation.

Bill takes the Pinot Noir from the vineyard, Pat takes the Chardonnay. The Chardonnay wines emerging from his cellar are some of the most exciting in the country. Addicted to volcanic soils and the power and energy that those soils bring to Chardonnay, Pat is amassing a formidable stable of Chardonnays that articulate a small slice of Australia's ancient terroir.

The wines are un-tinkered with, fermented in neutral vessels with little or no sulphur and are made to express their special site and the vagaries of vintage. In Pat's words, "The wines are inspired by emotion, a moment in time and a sense of place."

Pat Sullivan - Gippsland, VIC Patrick Sullivan

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