2022 Savaterre Frere Cadet 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. Sourced from neighbouring vineyards, the Frere Cadet Chardonnay receives the same treatment as the Estate wine, but at a more approachable price point. 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….
Carries a lot of mighty good flavour that stays on the tongue and won't let go. Sunny and bright, yet deep and concentrated. Pure yellow peach, pear, Meyer lemon, spice and woodsmoke. Offers up a ripe citrus tang, stone fruits and light Asian fruit tropicals against a well-spiced cedarwood background - creamy soft across the mid-palate -- that simply doesn't stop as it works its way to a long finish. Juicy acidity aids the journey. Impressive.
95 Points
Jeni Port - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

A fleshier cousin to the upper echelon wine and better placed for early to mid-term drinking as a result. Canned stone fruit accents, lees-derived truffle, canned corn and a dried straw character confer a welcome savoriness to teeming stone fruit accents. This is the wine to reach for while waiting for its more expensive sibling to unravel in the cellar. The cadence is a little more relaxed. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 Points
Ned Goodwin MW - JamesSuckling.com

Sourced from a vineyard next to Giaconda, a higher cropping site, conventional farmed, says Keppel Smith.
A little struck match, grapefruit, stonefruit, and oatmeal richness, fine spicy oak, Japanese ginger. Juicy but tight, has some creamy gloss and richness, but acidity gives it grapefruity tang and freshness, finishes quite long and spicy. A really good glass of Chardonnay here. Satisfying. Pleasurable. Excellent. Drink 2023 - 2028+
94 Points
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front