1993 Chestnut Hill Chardonnay

It's not often that a new vineyard is discovered, but Charlie Javor's Chestnut Hill is quite a find. Charlie is self taught, having watched winemakers at work from an early age, and he produces a very sophisticated wine. For a start, where abouts is Mt Burnett - it sits out on its own - not quite a part of the Yarra Valley and not part of Gippsland - 13 km north of Pakenham. The climate here is delightfully cool, and the chardonnay has emerged as the star of the vineyard - the wine varies in acid levels according to year, but they are definitely at the high acid end of the spectrum. If Chablis had to find an equivalent home in Victoria, then this is possibly it.Bright pale straw colour. The nose is filled with complex barrel ferment character. Cashew and biscuit aromas are enhanced by butterscotch, cashew and bitter almond flavours, clean, crisp acidity, excellent oak integration but very subtle, and long biscuit cashew aftertaste.