2025 Bream Creek Reserve Chardonnay, Tasmania

Light yellow hue; chalky mineral and dusty aromas, a whiff of smoked charcuterie, the palate intense and fine-boned, focused and refreshing with energising acidity. Subtle grapefruit, lemon and flinty aromas, all nicely melded and compact. Terrific line and length: a top chardonnay. Drink to 2037.

95 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, May 2026

More about this wine

Winemaker Fred Peacock has long been one of Tasmania’s quiet achievers. With over 30 vintages under his belt, he brings a no-nonsense, viticulture-first approach to the winery, letting site expression and subtle winemaking shine through.

The fruit for the Reserve Chardonnay is handpicked and whole-bunch pressed, fermented and matured in French oak barriques, with a deft balance between new and seasoned. There’s a measured use of lees stirring, building texture without losing that hallmark Tasmanian clarity.

About Bream Creek

Bream Creek is one of the Tasmania’s oldest vineyards, located 50 minutes east of Hobart on a ridge overlooking the Tasman Sea.

It is gently sloping site of deep soils ranging from brown to black clay loams with stonier higher grounds. With significant maritime influence, the surrounding topography and forests offer a natural windbreak from the strong, cold winds. The growing seasons are typically long and mild, with cool frost-free springs, long sunny summer days and an extended autumn ripening period to enhance flavour development. Most of the vineyard work, including pruning and picking, is done by hand.

The vineyards were originally planted from 1974, at that point mainly to Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller plantings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer.

In 1990 renowned Tasmanian vigneron Fred Peacock purchased the property, increasing the plantings of Pinot Noir and adding Sauvignon Blanc, as well as one of the first Schönburger vines in the southern hemisphere.

The total area planted to vines is today at 7.5 hectares.