Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2023

The D'Anna family established their vineyard on a property that had been in the family since 1960. The vines (chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris, merlot and pinot blanc) are hand-pruned and hand-harvested, a 300t, split-level winery built in 2003. Son Franco is the viticulturist and inspired winemaker; he started work in the family liquor store at age 13, graduating to chief wine buyer by the time he was 21. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University before studying viticulture at CSU. A vintage at Coldstream Hills, then two years' vintage experience with Peter Dredge at Witchmount, and with Mario Marson (ex Mount Mary) as mentor in '03, has put an old head on young shoulders. The Wickhams Road label uses grapes from an estate vineyard in Gippsland as well as purchased grapes from the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. Best Value Winery Wine Companion 2015.  James Halliday Wine Companion

“Cool(ish) year, small yields. This is the best HCE Chardonnay I can recall tasting. White peach, green pear, a little citrus, fine spicy oak, almond, discreet struck match. It’s tight, but has flavour, plenty of flinty and chalky texture, ripe lemon and lemon peel, almond biscotti and green olive, firm crunch of pure acidity, and a long and racy finish that so mouth-watering and zesty. My word.” 95 Points & Top Value Gary Walsh, Winefront