2025 Freycinet Chardonnay, East Coast Tasmania

Freycinet Vineyard was the first commercial vineyard and winery on the East Coast of Tasmania. Former Sydneysiders Geoff and Susan Bull planted their first vines in 1979 near Bicheno, with the first wines produced in 1983. Their daughter Lindy is today continuing the work with her partner Claudio Radenti, with the third generation already learning the ropes. The family currently cultivates four vineyards, all within kilometres of the original site. All wines are made on-site from estate grown fruit.

This Chardonnay is from over 40-year-old vines planted in the original vineyard, a north facing, protected and gently sloping four-hectare amphitheatre with shallow, stony and free draining soils with clay-loam texture.

The 2025 vintage was warm and dry across Tasmania, and all regions were spared from extreme heat days. After good fruit set during the warm spring, nature provided growers with generous crops, with concentrated flavours and excellent natural acidity across all varieties. Fruit was handpicked and whole bunch pressed to French oak barriques for fermentation. The wine was allowed full malolactic fermentation, and regular lees stirring was carried out during maturation for enhanced texture.

A lively wine opening with aromas of white peach, lemon curd and gentle spice. The harmonious creamy palate builds layers of stone fruit and citrus flavours, with uplifting acidity. Savoury and flinty, the flavours carry to a long finish.

The impatient cook enjoys youthful freshness over a weekend dinner of grilled king prawns with kombu-butter or a chicken tagine. Reach for something richer if you choose to hold onto a bottle for a couple of years