Elanto Balnarring Chardonnay 2023

#5 of 29 2023 Chardonnay from Mornington Peninsula

Bright medium-full yellow; complex cashew, almond, citrus/lime/lemon aromas. Concentrated, rich fruit with a touch of oak sweetness, then a big upswell of flavour towards the back-palate where it lingers long and satisfyingly. Powerful yet elegant: an impressive chardonnay that would take age well. (Diam) 96PTS Huon Hooke, The Real Review

As with the pinot noir, this is the inaugural release and it’s a beauty, enticing immediately with aromas of citrus blossom, ginger flower, struck flint and warm, woodsy spice. There’s a savouriness within, alongside grapefruit and pith, lemon-infused creamy lees, grilled nuts and oak spice, all adding layers of flavour. Moreish, thanks to a whisper of sulphides, and while the fuller- bodied palate is shapely, super fine acidity extends the length and ties everything together. It’s worth noting how this comes to be, other than from fruit off the high- density vineyard: whole bunch pressed to French oak, 25% new and mostly light toast Sirugue barriques, aged on lees for 10 months then popped into Nico Velo Tulipe concrete vessels for two months before bottling. 96PTS Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion

Fantastic intensity of flavour matched to fantastic length. This is a chardonnay for lovers of chardonnay. There's cedarwood oak in play, and a kind of nutty creaminess too, but it's the blaze of pear, white peach, grapefruit and steel that really woos. Citrussy acidity teams with the pear characters to give the wine an air of juicy refreshment, but everything is in the context of flavour, bold and delicious. This is an exceptional first release, and a truly beautiful wine. 95PTS Campbell Mattinson