2024 BK Wines The Fall Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills

Bright and expressive, with layers of citrus confit, sourdough, salted nuts, seaweed, orange blossoms, cheese rind and oyster shells. The palate is straight down the line, with nervy tension supported by a generous texture and a saline edge, lifted by bright acidity. A really delicious, mineral-edged chardonnay with plenty of character. Drink or hold.

96 points jamessuckling.com

There is a lovely sense of calm confidence in The Fall Chardonnay from BK Wines, a release that shows the more refined and quietly layered side of Brendon and Kirstyn Keys’ Adelaide Hills explorations. Sourced from cool elevated vineyards where long ripening seasons build flavour without sacrificing freshness, the wine reflects their minimal intervention philosophy and instinctive feel for site. Gentle handling in the winery, wild fermentation and thoughtful oak maturation allow the fruit to speak clearly, resulting in a Chardonnay that feels both textural and precise.

A pale lemon gold glow fills the glass. Aromas open with white peach, grapefruit and lemon zest intertwined with toasted cashew, struck flint and a subtle creamy nuance from lees work. There is an inviting savoury detail that builds with air. The palate flows with stone fruit generosity and fine citrus tension, gliding across a silky mid palate before tightening into a mineral edged finish. Subtle oak spice and saline freshness linger long, giving the wine shape and persistence without heaviness.

This is the sort of Chardonnay that feels perfectly suited to relaxed evenings and thoughtful food. Roast chicken with herbs, grilled prawns with lemon butter, pumpkin and sage risotto or simply a wedge of good washed rind cheese will all make it sing. Drinking beautifully now while its freshness and texture are in harmony, yet capable of evolving over five to seven years as nutty and honeyed complexity develops. A beautifully judged Adelaide Hills Chardonnay that shows BK Wines’ intuitive touch and growing confidence with the variety.