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Buy OnlineWinery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Fragrant and refined on the nose with notes of brioche & nut followed by cooler fruit aromas A refined palate reveals layers of savoury flavour with a mouth filling finish. This chardonnay is harmonious and subtle with a great depth of flavour and completeness. We recommend enjoying with Korean Fried Chicken.
Under the direction of Chief Winemaker, John Kavanagh, our winemaking philosophy places a premium on the character of each vineyard. Crafted from the best parcels, the fruit for John Martin Chardonnay is hand-harvested. It is sorted in the winery, gently whole-bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast. The wine was aged for 10 months in French oak with regular lees stirring to enhance texture and flavour. Partial malolactic fermentation helps provide a subtle creaminess complexity. The wine is racked from barrel and blended very gently with minimal intervention through to bottling."
Reviews for the 2021 vintage below…
5 Stars & 96/100 Aaron Brasher, The Real Review, October 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"100% Mendoza clone, all barrel fermented in 15% new oak and put through 60% malolactic fermentation. After three months, 40% of the wine was taken out of oak and put to tank unsulphured. This wine has layers and layers of flavour that build complexity the more time it has in the glass. The acidity has real cut and drive and the high level of malo sits supremely in the wine delivering texture and mouth-feel. Chief winemaker John Kavanagh is extremely proud of this wine, and rightly so: it has real sophistication, balance and exudes quality and class."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, April 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Elegant, concentrated Chardonnay with classy oak, hazelnut, lime zest, and oyster shell flavours supported by bright, tangy acidity. Supple, high energy wine that is delicious now but promises to develop well with bottle age."
5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, April 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"This is complex and engaging, showing grapefruit, golden peach, cedar and brioche characters, leading to a concentrated palate displaying outstanding weight and focus. It's finely layered with delectable flavours, finishing impressively long and sophisticated."
5 Stars & 18.5+/20 (94) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, May 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Bright, even, pale yellow. The nose is gently full, with aromas of stonefruit, citrus and minerals, layering toasty creaminess. Medium-bodied, aromas of apricot, lemon with a suggestion of lime interweave with minerals, roasted almond and creaminess. The fruit has a citrus core supported by lively acidity, creamy elements balance and contribute flesh to the mouthfeel. This elegant Chardonnay is textural with a lightly chalky mouthfeel with creamy, nutty complexities balanced with a focused citrus core."
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 vintage was estate-grown on the Martinborough Terrace, hand-harvested, and fermented and lees-matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (17 per cent new). Light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, fresh acidity, and lots of youthful vigour. Best drinking 2025+."
