2022 Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay, Pyrenees

A rounded, textured, layered chardonnay that has excellent integration of the fruit and winemaking elements. Alluring flecks of Geraldton wax and crème caramel decorate the concentrated core of green apples, ripe lemon and quince. Mineral acidity defines and focuses the palate. The wine has seamless flow and impressive back-palate persistence. The more air it has, the better it gets. A benchmark style for the region.

96 points Toni Paterson MW winecompanion.com.au

Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay from the Pyrenees is a quietly authoritative and beautifully mature expression of cool climate Victorian Chardonnay, shaped by altitude, ancient soils and a philosophy built on longevity rather than immediacy. The Dalwhinnie vineyard sits high near Moonambel, where cold winters, warm days and dramatic temperature shifts slow ripening and preserve natural acidity. The soils are ancient basalt mixed with quartz and ironstone, low yielding and mineral rich, giving Chardonnay structure, savoury depth and a distinctly restrained profile. Dalwhinnie has been a benchmark Pyrenees estate since the early nineteen seventies, and this Chardonnay has always been made in a classical, age worthy style that rewards patience.

Winemaking is deliberately traditional. Hand picked fruit is whole bunch pressed, fermented carefully and matured in French oak with restraint, allowing time rather than winemaking tricks to build complexity. The wine is never about overt fruit sweetness or flashy oak. Instead, it focuses on balance, line and evolution, very much in keeping with Dalwhinnie’s long standing house style.

The aromatics are subtle and layered. Lemon peel, green apple and white peach sit alongside cashew, almond meal and gentle struck flint. With air, savoury notes emerge: oatmeal, warm stone, dried herbs and a faint suggestion of beeswax. There is a calm, composed character to the bouquet that hints at the wine’s ability to age rather than shout for attention.

The palate is firm, poised and beautifully structured. Citrus and stone fruit glide through a tight, mineral driven frame, supported by fine acidity that gives length and precision. Oak sits quietly in the background, contributing texture and savoury nuance rather than flavour. As the wine opens, notes of lemon curd, hazelnut and subtle spice appear, finishing long and dry with a distinctly Pyrenees stony edge. It drinks well now with air, but really comes into its own with time, evolving over ten to fifteen years into honeyed, nutty and gently smoky complexity while retaining its core freshness.

An excellent match for roast chicken, grilled lobster, scallops, creamy mushroom dishes, roast pork or aged soft cheeses. This is Chardonnay for those who appreciate restraint, structure and the rewards of patience, a true reflection of Dalwhinnie’s cool climate pedigree.