This is a vibrant, top-class Pinot with layers of spice and earth and a full, silky palate balanced by chalky tannin and a snappy, mineral-flecked finish. Don’t be afraid to decant and serve this in a big Burgundy glass—it’s an impressive wine that will evolve with air and time.

Toolangi is a state forest just outside Healesville that was devastated during Black Saturday. The excellent vineyards remain, and continue to produce wines of personality and place. The Chardonnay combines varietal characters of quince and crab apple with some delicious nutty oak nuances. Its great value.

Kaspar Hermann’s reputation is built on the back of Chardonnay―Toolangi’s F Block is one of the Yarra Valley’s finest examples―but the ex-Mount Mary man’s skills extend far beyond that. Since taking the helm at Toolangi Vineyard a few years back, he has honed his Shiraz skills, taking the top-notch fruit grown in the forest-hugging Dixons Creek site and transforming it into evocative, sinewy, seductively perfumed cool-climate Shiraz—at a killer price, too.

Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is in the Yarra Valley adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This single-site vineyard on fine clay loam produces wines with distinctive personalities, each wine showing a strong sense of place. The vines were cropped low, and the fruit was hand-harvested from 20-year-old vines of MV6 Pinot Noir clone. Fruit for the 2022 Pinot Noir was hand-picked on the 11th of March, The fruit was destemmed as whole berries, with 10% left as whole bunches. There was a short cold soak prior to fermentation and the wine was then left on skins for 21 days. It was then pressed to French barriques and puncheons (less than 10% new) for malolactic conversion and left on lees in oak for 10 months.

Spicy, faintly floral aromas of stone fruit, grapefruit, lime juice and coriander are backed by matchstick-like oak and a hint of mineral. It's round and creamy, smooth and voluptuous, with a gentle, mouthfilling core of flavour and nougat-like complexity finishing with a hint of butter, gentle lemony acids and a faint smokiness. Crushed and pressed with full solids straight to oak (20% new), both primary fermentation and malolactic were natural. Elevage: 8 months on lees in oak before being racked and filtered in preparation for bottling. Hand-picked on 12th March 2018 First established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyards is located in the Yarra Valley adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This Chardonnay is grown on fine clay loam and produces grapes which represent the unique site. Low cropped and hand harvested from 23 year old vines of I1OV3 clone grapes on D Block rows 35 55. The 2018 harvest will be remembered fondly by winemakers in the Yarra Valley. It was a rare season that gave above average yields and excellent quality fruit. Dry sunny conditions with cool overnight temperatures provided good natural acidity and concentrated wines at lower alcohol levels.

This unfiltered Chardonnay was made at Giaconda by Rick Kinzbrunner using traditional techniques. Quite sublime buttery richness with perfect balance of acid and oak integration.

Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is in the Yarra Valley adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This single-site vineyard on fine clay loam produces wines with distinctive personalities, each wine showing a strong sense of place. The vines were cropped low, and the fruit was hand-harvested from 20-year-old vines of MV6 Pinot Noir clone. The fruit was destemmed as whole berries, with 5% left as whole bunches. There was a short cold soak prior to fermentation and the wine was then left on skins for 14 days. It was then pressed to French oak (5% new) for malolactic conversion and left on lees in oak for 10 months. “Light but satisfying. Delicious spice notes, sweet and roasted, with the tang of red cherry and cranberry flavours. It has both quality and complexity written all over it but, responsibly, it’s also the kind of pinot you just want to guzzle. It has that out-and-out drinkability. Firm-ish tannin keeps things controlled and it finishes long enough to satisfy.” 92 Points, Campbell Mattinson

The 2024 vintage of Toolangi Vineyard Pauls Lane Chardonnay from Yarra Valley is a true testament to the potential of this renowned wine region in Victoria. The nose is greeted with a bouquet of ripe tropical fruits, such as pineapple and mango, layered with subtle hints of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, the wine reveals a beautiful balance of crisp acidity and creamy texture, showcasing flavors of juicy peach, lemon curd, and a touch of hazelnut. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering note of citrus and a touch of minerality. The color is a pale golden hue, shimmering under the light. This Chardonnay is a true delicacy, and will only continue to improve with age. Enjoy now or cellar for further development.