2022 Woodlawn Tasmania Waverley Vineyard Chardonnay

This is the cooler, more restrained sibling to the Three Wishes Chardonnay, sourced from the tiny Waverley Vineyard just east of Launceston. Ricky Evans has spent years nursing this site back to health, and his patience has paid off - this laser-focused Chardonnay captures the pure, linear expression of this high-altitude, mountain-influenced vineyard.

Planted in 2005, Waverley is a low-yielding, high-acid site, producing fruit with exceptional drive and minerality. The 2022 release was whole-bunch pressed and fermented in second-use French puncheons, followed by extended aging on lees in tank to build texture without sacrificing tension.

This is Chardonnay at its most precise - a wine of crushed rock, sea spray, and citrus intensity. Aromas of white peach, green apple, and lemon zest lead into a taut, mouthwatering palate, where layers of grapefruit pith, fresh almond, and subtle spice unfold with each sip.

For lovers of mineral, structured, and beautifully detailed Chardonnays, this is a must-try.

95 points
"The cooler of the two Woodlawn chardonnay sites, Waverley is located just to the east of Launceston. It's a finer, tauter rendition of the grape variety. There's still the sea spray influence, but there's also the crispness of mountain air. White peach, nectarine and citrus with tones of fine spice, cut fennel, wildflowers, crushed stone, ozone and almond paste. There's an ache of umami on the palate, the most lovely porcelain acid line pulling the wine along and a finish with just a tint of meal to its form. Great drinking."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)