2022 Savaterre Chardonnay

Keppel Smith established Savaterre in 1996, planting the first vines on his Beechworth property. Since then Savaterre has become revered for producing super premium Chardonnay (planted on decomposed granitic loam soil) in the unique microclimate of the Victorian Alps. The 2022 vintage featured warm days to ensure flavour ripeness followed by cool evenings to help retain acid. The season had a cool drawn-out finish that brought added complexity and finesse to the wine. Basket pressed to French oak barrels for 18 months of maturation on lees with a further 6 months of resting in bottle before being released.

Other Reviews....
Exceptional style and class through and through...A thrilling ride awaits with a deep dive into arresting aromas filled with white flowers, stone fruits, Meyer lemon, nougat, almond meal and spice. Floats dreamily on the plate, fine in texture, resonating in fruit and well-judged oak, creamy in texture, bright in energy and acidity.
96 Points
Jeni Port - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

Damn this is reductive, demanding an aggressive decant, or an eagle eye in the cellar and plenty of patience. Yet the material lurking behind this flinty, terse carapace is thoroughly impressive: pithy stone fruits, anise, glazed quince and citrus marmalade. Thrilling levels of sheer extract, intensity and length, to boot. Trust me. WAIT! Drinkable now, but best from 2027. Screw cap.
96 Points
Ned Goodwin MW - JamesSuckling.com

Vintage 2022 combined good yields with high quality, which must be something of a relief given the vicissitudes of recent seasons. Who’d be a farmer eh? This is to be released April 2024.
A little struck match and funk, pink grapefruit and pear, spicy oak, some ginger, floral perfume sitting quietly behind that, waiting to unfurl. Intense, fine flinty texture and chalky grip, it’s restrained, but the power through the palate, and the length is quite something. Sappy and alive. Here’s a Chardonnay of quiet power and finesse. It’s benchmark stuff. Drink 2024 - 2033+
97 Points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front