2024 Josef Chromy Pepik Chardonnay, Northern Tasmania

A crisp, unoaked chardonnay showing characters of nectarine, peach, citrus and melon fruits with some youthful estery tones. Hints of meadow flowers, cut fennel, grilled stone fruits and clotted cream. To be honest, I'm not the biggest unoaked-chardonnay drinker, but this is done really well. Crisp, dry and thirst slaking. Drink to 2028.

89 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, April 2025

Very light colour; fresh, simple, new-wine aromas, fruit driven, no artifact characters evident. Lively, crisp, slightly green flavours, finishing clean and dry. A well-made basic chardonnay. Drink to 2029.

86 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, December 2024

Pepik is a largely unoaked style of Chardonnay made from estate grown Tamar Valley fruit. The juice obtained from the destemmed grapes was clarified before it was fermented with cultivated yeast strains in stainless steel. The wine was then left to rest on its lees for two months, with a minor amount of its barrel fermented sibling was blended in for a touch of savouriness. The parcels were then blended, clarified and stabilised in preparation for bottling which took place in September 2024.

This is a drink-now style of fruit-forward Chardonnay that could be enjoyed well-chilled on its own, or with grilled fish and prawns or lighter style pasta.

About this producer

Czech migrant Josef Chromy established his namesake winery in 2007. Today, the much-loved brand and its significant 61-hectare vineyard holdings in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley are jointly owned by the Endeavour Group and Warakirri Asset Management.

Chief winemaker Yael Sandler joined the team in 2016 and is today guiding the winery with viticulturist Kellie Graham as her counterpart in the vineyards.