2024 Hungerford Hill Dalwood Vineyard Chardonnay, Hunter Valley

Sourced from Block 8 on the Dalwood vineyard, wild fermented. The palate is a mix of savoury and gentle fruit elements. Quite rounded and textural, with a sophisticated melon character that is generous without being overtly fruity. There's a wash of refreshing acidity, giving the wine excellent balance and length. A faint note of mealiness, too. Savoury sulphides add dimension, with the wine benefiting from decanting to temper their influence and harmonise the elements. Drink to 2028.

95 points Special Value Toni Paterson MW for Halliday Wine Companion, June 2026

Fruit is sourced from the oldest continually operating vineyard in Australia, named Dalwood on the banks of the Hunter River. It’s chiselled to show its many facets of fruit, some meyer lemon, yellow pineapple and peach cheeks. It then swiftly turns to show its savoury side with cumin, fenugreek and sesame. There is a brown clay earthiness with stripped bark and dried leaf. Oak is a touch more sweet spiced on the palate and acidity climbs high and mighty. A lovely representation of the region and its rewarding style. Some churned butter and maple candy on the finish. This is detailed and balanced with plenty of flavour. It’s a historical site that has bottled to be savoured, maybe with a cheese burek.

95 points Shanteh Wale for Wine Pilot, September 2025

Hungerford Hill is a Hunter Valley based winery established in 1967. Their offer has slowly grown to take in the Hilltops and Tumbarumba regions of NSW, while the presence in the Hunter has grown through purchases of Sweetwater and Dalwood. The three names remain distinct but share the expertise of Hungerford Hill’s viticultural and winemaking teams.

Current Chief Winemaker is Pierre Durand, who has worked at many of the biggest local names, including Tyrrell’s, Brokenwood and Margan.