2022 Willem Kurt Beechworth Chardonnay

Willem Kurt wines begun its life as a garage project initially purchasing fruit and making wine from its rented winery space. It wasn’t until 2017 that a paddock of land was purchased, and vines planted. Winemaker Daniel Balzer employs simple winemaking techniques in order to emphasis the fruit, barrel fermentation and maturation in French oak (25% new) with only select barrels undergoing lees stirring and malolactic fermentation.
Brilliant pale straw colour with distinct highlights of green around the edges and a watery hue. Lifted white peach, dried honey and pear aromas flood the nostrils complimented by notions of biscuity nougat, faint crème brulee and gun flint. Boasting outstanding drive, the mid weighted palate combines a fleshy texture with ample freshness. White peach, dried honey and roasted almond flavours are featured over a citrusy nougat and gun flint infused back drop. The long refined finish extended even further by energetic acidity.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.8%

Other Reviews….
Beechworth punches above its weight (i.e. size) when it comes to chardonnay. Consistently so, which is why we see another strong, sun-filled chardonnay release from Willem Kurt. Bright, light, yellow hues glisten. Lifted scents of nectarine, white peach, citrus and spring flowers flow. Mineral tang is a most attractive feature, lipsmackingly so, backed with crunchy, bright acidity. So good. Drink by 2032.
95 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

The Willem Kurt vineyard, just south of the town of Beechworth, is on Buckland Gap Road, the mere mention of which road, as a former cyclist, raises my anxiety levels.
This is a very good release. At $45 it’s a lay down misere. It’s a wine of power, concentration, depth and length; it’s a wine of freshness and style. It tastes of grapefruit, stone fruits, stones, cedarwood and flint, though everything in reality is tucked in and composed. At every turn it feels textural, fruit-filled and confident. The Willem Kurt wines are always good, and this is one of the best of them. Drink 2025-2031.
94 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front