2023 Sailor Seeks Horse Chardonnay

Sailor Seeks Horse is a tiny vineyard that's one of Australia’s most southerly, located in the Huon valley in southern Tasmania. Owners Paul and Gilli Lipscombe have brought considerable vineyard and winemaking experience to this venture, and they've been producing outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay here for over a decade.

In 2010 Paul and Gilli planted four Dijon clones of Chardonnay (95, 96, 76 & 277) in two sections of the vineyard over 2 hectares. Winemaking is tailored to the season, yet generally involves whole bunches pressed and allowed to 'hyperox' before settling for 12 hours in tank. It's then racked into 300l hogsheads of which 20% is new. Fermentation uses wild yeasts, generally no MLF, and the wine is then aged for 12 months with full lees.

Other Reviews....
There's a little more aromatic concentration this year methinks. Still resplendent in its ripe white peach and citrus fruits, flecked with spiced oatmeal, clotted cream, meadow wildflowers, grilled cashews, nougat, distant struck flint and nicely judged vanillin oak. Stony and nicely focused on the palate with a briny sapidity and impressive tension between fruit and line. It finishes savoury and very moreish and that is a big win. Drink 2025-2032.
95 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Wine Companion