2024 Ten Minutes by Tractor Estate Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula

Generous and rounded, with aromas of lemons, yellow apples, pears, flint and rolled oats. The palate is mid-weighted with bright acidity and a textural, rounded mouthfeel, finishing crisp and pure with a saline, mineral drive. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

94 points jamessuckling.com

Light, bright yellow colour; creamy lees, cashew and lemon curd aromas, fresh, clean and bright. Pristine fruit driven flavours, light-medium weight and beautifully balanced, the finish dry, clean and more-ish. Excellent value too. 18 Jul 2025 Drink 2025–2034

92 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

The Estate Chardonnay sits at the core of Ten Minutes by Tractor’s philosophy, drawing together fruit from the family’s Main Ridge vineyards to present a house signature built on precision and longevity. The winery was founded by three families farming neighbouring sites just minutes apart, and over time it has become one of Mornington Peninsula’s reference points for cool climate Chardonnay. Under winemaker Martin Spedding, every parcel is treated individually, with obsessive attention to canopy work, picking dates and fruit selection to capture tension and purity.

Whole bunch pressing protects delicacy and clarity. Fermentation occurs with a mix of wild yeasts, and the wine spends extended time on fine lees to build depth without sacrificing line. French oak is carefully chosen to add structure and savoury nuance rather than sweetness. The intent is a Chardonnay that feels architectural, layered and capable of long evolution.

Pale gold in colour, the aromas open with white peach, lemon curd and grapefruit layered with cashew, flint and subtle toast. The palate is medium bodied and tightly coiled, with citrus and stone fruit carried by bright acidity and a creamy, chalk edged texture. Flavours stretch through a long mineral finish that feels cool and precise.

It pairs beautifully with oysters, scallops, roast chicken and butter rich seafood. Already impressive for its energy and detail, it will cellar confidently for ten to fifteen years, developing nutty and savoury complexity.

This is Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay built on patience and detail, textural, focused and quietly powerful.