Bindi Quartz Chardonnay Macedon Ranges, Victoria – 2019

Bindi is widely acknowledged as being one of Australia’s best small producers. It is situated at around 500m altitude in the cool climate Macedon Ranges, about an hour’s drive north of Melbourne. The winery is truly “boutique”, even by Burgundian standards, with only 7 hectares of vines, of which 5 hectares are planted with Pinot Noir and 2 hectares with Chardonnay. Total production is never higher than 3,000 cases per vintage.

The juice for this wine goes to barrel straight from the press, with no additions of yeast, nutrients or enzymes. Once the juice is in barrel a small amount of sulphur is added and then they wait, usually about five days, for the fermentation to begin. The wine spent 11 months on yeast lees in French barrels, of which 30% are new, and was bottled in early March 2020.

Made from Chardonnay vines planted in 1988, Quartz Chardonnay is bright and fresh with blossom, lemon and wet stone/chalky aromas. There are delicate savoury, mealy lees elements. The palate is vigorous and lively, harmonious with a long, elegant, textured finish. It really is very finely poised and flowing. Drink 2024-2030