Toolangi Pauls Lane Chardonnay 2023

Description

Helmut Konecsny, the owner of Rochford Wines, has purchased Toolangi Vineyards and has immediately started ringing in the changes. Of course, it’s early days, but from what we have seen so far, the future for Toolangi now looks very, very bright. Apart from the new packaging, Konecsny and his team seem very serious about rejuvenating and upgrading the work in the vines. This was, after all, one of the few Yarra producers to engage the services of renowned soil scientist Claude Bourguignon on his recent visit to Australia, and the Toolangi vineyard was one of the sites he analysed. In terms of winemaking, Toolangi will now control its own destiny with the talented duo of Kaspar Hermann (stints at Seville Estate, Viticoltori De Concillis in Campania, Coldstream Hills, Punch and 8 years as assistant winemaker at Mount Mary before joining Toolangi) and Kelly Healey (started his wine career in Otago in his homeland of New Zealand then Chandon in the Yarra Valley and Moet & Chandon in India, followed by a spell at Kilchurn in Macedon). Crucial to the Toolangi team is experienced viticulturist, John Evans (previously Chief Viticulturist at Yering Station for 14 years, Vineyard Manager at Yarra Ridge and worked at De Bortoli, as well as various Vineyard Consulting roles including the setup and redevelopment of Toolangi Vineyard in 2001, which he has continued to this day.)  Safe to say, John knows the Yarra like the back of his hand and exactly how to get the best from the Toolangi vineyard.

There are now only two tiers of wine—the Toolangi and Paul’s Lane labels.

Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is in the Dixons Creek subregion of the Yarra Valley, adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This sheltered, low-cropping site is planted to the Gingin, Mendoza and I10V3 Chardonnay clones that sit in fine clay-loam soils. Year after year, this unique vineyard produces wines with a distinctive personality and strong sense of place. Pauls Lane Chardonnay comes from just 20 rows within the D Block on the 11-hectare property. It is all I10V3 planted in 1995 when the vineyard was first established.

The fruit was handpicked on 29th March, a full month later than in 2021 (when this wine was last released). The fruit was destemmed and pressed to French oak (20%) for fermentation and nine months’ maturation. Winemaker Kaspar Hermann shies away from malolactic conversion for Pauls Lane, finding natural acid/flavour balance in the I clone without it. The 2023 season produced excellent wines in the Yarra Valley; it’s just a pity yields were so low. Bunches were small and packed with flavour, a trait conveyed clearly in the glass. It’s aromatic, rich and weighty with zesty acid cut and ripe, pure fruit flavours balanced by lovely sweet spice and a delicate saline flick on the finish. Full-throttle Chardonnay.

Love this new release from a low yielding, concentrated vintage with excellent depth weight of fruit, line of acid and balanced french oak.

Reviews for previous vintage … “From a single block of 26-year-old vines. Whole-bunch pressed to barriques and puncheons (20% new) with no mlf. A bright, deep-ish green gold. Enticing aromas of lightly spiced apples and stone fruits with hints of mint and pink grapefruit. Generous and giving on the front palate, I like how this fine-boned wine finishes taut and long. A stylish wine that should age gracefully.” 95 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion 2024
“Well, yes please. Flint, struck match, white peach and nectarine flavours with fennel, green pineapple, cedar and cream characters purring persuasively throughout. It’s complex, ripe, mouthwatering and lengthy. It’s delicious.” 94 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

RRP $53   **Our Special Price $42.50 when you buy 6 or more of this wine**