2024 Pooles Rock Premiere Chardonnay, Hunter Valley

Made from a blend of carefully selected parcels from across the valley. Zesty, delicious, balanced and bright, with medium weight and a fabulous mix of concentration and freshness. Grapefruit zest, lemon gelato and white nectarine. Drink to 2029.

94 points Toni Paterson MW for Halliday Wine Companion, May 2026

This Chardonnay is a blend of grapes from estate vineyards in the Broke Fordwich subregion of Hunter Valley and selected grower sourced parcels. The morning-harvested fruit was immediately whole bunch pressed, the cloudy juice fermenting in a combination of French oak barrels and puncheons of which 30% were new and the balance second use. A small portion of the wine was allowed malolactic fermentation, and the parcels were matured for nine months in oak with fortnightly lees stirring before blending and bottling.

About this producer

Poole’s Rock is a Hunter Valley-based label of family-owned Agnew wines who also operate Audrey Wilknison vineyards. Fruit is sourced from several estate vineyards, including the historic Post Office and Soldier Settlers vineyards, as well as from trusted growers across the broader Hunter Valley.

Xanthe Hatcher has been the group’s chief winemaker since June 2019.