2024 Yabby Lake SV Tasmania Chardonnay, Coal River Valley

Another nervy, mineral and refined release from Yabby Lake’s newest venture in Tasmania. Aromas of fresh lemons, grapefruit, flint, apple blossoms, white peaches and sourdough bread. The midweight palate has a linear, precise acidity wrapped in a generous yet tightly wound mouthfeel. Seriously good for lovers of new-fashioned chardonnay. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

96 points jamessuckling.com

Chardonnay from the Yabby Lake vineyard in the Coal River Valley; whole-bunch pressed, wild ferment in 500L French oak, 20% new. Pale straw with flint-struck aromas of citrus and stone fruits. Hints of nougat, white flowers, marzipan, crushed stone, sea spray, ozone and lightly spiced oak nuance. Some light curd and cream tones meld in on the palate, fine, vivid acidity providing ample drive with a gentle umami swell on the exit.

94 points Dave Brooke winecompanion.com.au

From the cool, windswept vineyards of Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay brings the estate’s precision driven philosophy into one of Australia’s most exciting cool climate regions. Known for meticulous site selection and exacting winemaking on the Mornington Peninsula, the team applies the same focus here, working with low yielding vines and long ripening conditions that build flavour slowly while preserving natural acidity. The result is a Chardonnay of clarity, tension and layered texture shaped by Tasmania’s pristine environment.

A pale lemon gold with shimmering green highlights sits in the glass. Aromas unfold with white nectarine, lemon zest and grapefruit layered with cashew, flint and a subtle struck match note. There is an immediate sense of purity and restraint, everything finely detailed rather than overt.

The palate is taut yet textural, delivering citrus and stone fruit flavours framed by vibrant acidity and a firm mineral backbone. Nuances of almond meal, saline freshness and gentle oak integration build through the mid palate, leading to a long, precise finish that feels both focused and quietly powerful. This Chardonnay will reward cellaring over eight to twelve years, developing nutty complexity, savoury depth and layered richness.

Fresh scallop crudo with citrus and olive oil, tempura zucchini flowers dipped into light soy, or a delicate sashimi platter shared as the evening unfolds. A late evening drift into Bach’s Goldberg Variations or something equally intricate, the wine carrying that same sense of structure, clarity and quiet intensity.