2023 Woodlawn Waverley Vineyard Chardonnay

95 points
"Here, the wine is rich and mouth-filling, complex, long and salty. I like the persistence here; it lingers well beyond the close of play and makes for great drinking. This is a super wine."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

Waverley is the last parcel Ricky Evans picks each year. Situated east of Launceston with a little elevation, it's more influenced by surrounding mountain air than the Tamar River, and it ripens Chardonnay almost at a standstill. Ricky has been farming it since 2015, when the previous owner had stepped away and the vineyard was derelict. 

A tiny parcel, whole-bunch pressed and sent directly to a mix of French puncheons and barriques for wild ferment, with some portions through MLF. Eleven months on full lees in barrel, then four months in tank. The 2023 is tight and linear, which suits the site well.

Cool, taut and mineral, with fine chalky acidity running the length of the palate and a persistent, stony finish. It's a more restrained and structural style than the other Woodlawn Chardonnays, and the one most likely to reward patience in bottle. Good now with air, better with a few years.