Description
Murdoch Hill vineyard is in the undulating hills of Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills. Planted by the Downer family in ’98 but the excitement began in 2012 when Michael (family’s youngest) took over the reins after working at esteemed wineries: Vietti in Piedmont; Bests in Great Western (initiated his Pinot Meunier fascination) & Shaw & Smith. He brought winemaking in house to have absolute control (previously outsourced to neighbouring winery) and adopted minimal intervention including wild yeasts, whole bunch ferments, extended skin contact, older wood maturation, no fining, filtration and minimal sulphur. He introduced the Artisan range of single parcel high altitude offerings sourcing fruit from vines in Lobethal, Basket Range and Uraidla high in the Piccadilly Valley …. juicy, vibrant wines that highlight the detail and freshness of each site.
Downer was a Young Guns of Wine finalist in 2014, joint winner of the ‘Winemaker’s Choice’ in 2015, finalist again in 2016 and winner in 2017! In the same year he was awarded Young Winemaker of the Year by Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine! Very compelling getting vote of approval from his peers!
“Murdoch Hill is a serious ultra-quality player in Australian wine. Take note.” Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion Top 100 Wineries 2023
“Michael really knows what he’s doing both in the cellar and in the vineyard. He has proven his credentials over and over again…” Halliday Wine Companion, Winemaker of the Year Finalists 2024
Our 8th release, the 2024 Rocket Chardonnay, once again launches from the elevated slopes of Lenswood, a site that continues to define purity and tension in Chardonnay. The season delivered fruit of exceptional intensity and clarity, captured here in a wine that is both powerful and precise. Aromas of lemon pith, brown lime and white stone fruit are layered with subtle struck-flint complexity and a touch of nutty oak. The palate is driven and tightly coiled, with mineral acidity and a fine pithy edge carrying the fruit through a long, moreish finish. Full malolactic fermentation and 45% new oak bring texture and gravitas without weighing down its energy. A focused, linear Chardonnay with lift and length a wine of momentum and quiet force.
98 Points, Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling and 4th in Top 100 Australian wines 2025 “Flashy, minerally and restrained aromas of grilled lemons, struck match, salted nuts, citrus blossoms, phosphorus, oyster shells and honeysuckle. The palate is tightly wound, with excellent density of fruit cut through by electric acidity and bright, tense clarity that leaves a mouthwatering finish of oatmeal plus savory and saline undertones. It’s hard to believe this is 100% malolactic given the high-voltage, energetic drive. This is truly excellent and all class.”
95 points, Stuart Knox. The Real Review “Pale lemon hue. A crackling nose of lemon balm, white peach, smoky reduction and roasting cashews. Lively and vibrant, lime cured notes meld with roasting nuts and flinty reductive minerality. It runs long on the back of a racy acid line. The length is to be admired and while the complexity is at full volume, the actual body is medium, with a very delicate sophistication right to the finish.”
Gold & 95 Points, Sydney Royal Wine Show 2025
95 points, South Australia Wine Guide 2026 “The top shelf of Murdoch Hill Chardonnays, out of the estate’s Lenswood vineyard. The winemaking is evident, house reductive characters to the fore, with a neat lift of quality, just sweet oak spice in the aromas. Seductive. Fruit is cooler sited and tight, with superb balancing of acidity and flavour, lemon squeezed over white stone fruits. Length and pleasure assured.”
RRP $103 Our Special Price $89.99 when you buy 6 or more.
