A legacy since 1734, Champagne Taittinger is the largest eponymous family owned Champagne House and one of the top, independent champagne brands in the world. This family of growers cultivates the second largest vineyard in the Champagne region. The composition of the house’s cuvées is a result of an intuitive and complex process, one which the Taittinger family know how to create and sustain; a Champagne which is completely unique. The Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blancs 2007 is a lively champagne with a light, abundant bubble. There is a bouquet on the nose of pears and fresh cut flowers and flavours of lemon zest and fresh pineapple. A delicate balance of finesse and aromatic intensity.

Pierrick Laroche, the proud owner of Domaine des Hâtes, continues the legacy of his family's estate located in the picturesque village of Maligny, in the north-west sector of Chablis. Established by his father in the 1970s, Pierrick's family vineyard holdings have gradually expanded over time, resulting in the current size of around 33 hectares. After obtaining a degree in oenology from Beaune, Pierrick embarked on a journey to gain valuable experience by traveling the world and undertaking various internships. Armed with knowledge and a deep passion for winemaking, he returned home to take over the family vineyards and start producing his own wines. Pierrick's cellars, ingeniously built into the side of a hill in the village, allow for much of the winemaking process to be conducted by gravity ensuring gentle handling of the grapes. The vinification takes place traditionally in stainless steel tanks, while some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines undergo a small portion of aging in used barrels, allowing for a full malolactic fermentation. One of his oldest vineyard plots, Les Châtillons, planted in the early 1970s, sits just behind the hill of the Grand Crus and showcases the meticulous use of barrel aging, which adds complexity and depth to the cuvée. In 2016, Pierrick expanded his range by starting a small négoce operation, sourcing must from friends who predominantly farm on the left side of the river. This addition includes premier crus such as Beauroy, Beauregard and Vau de Vey, as well as the grand cru of Bougros. In 2019, Pierrick inherited 8 acres of vines from his father-in-law in the southern sector of Chablis, around the village of Courgis. This inheritance includes Petit Chablis, 5.5 acres of Chablis and just over half an acre of the premier cru Les Butteaux. Pierrick Laroche's dedication to his craft is evident in every bottle of wine he produces. With a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, his wines showcase the unique terroir of Chablis, captivating enthusiasts with their finesse, complexity and distinct character. As Pierrick continues to nurture and expand his vineyards, he upholds the family legacy while leaving his own mark on the world of Chablis winemaking. The name of Pierrick's Domaine, "hâtes" refers to an old agricultural unit of measure, similar to the English rod. It evokes the long and slender fields used for sowing, where the longer rows made plowing easier with fewer turns. The term "hâtes" was often used to describe such fields. The 2021 Domaine des Hâtes Pierrick Laroche Chablis is a promising and faithful expression of the unique terroir of Chablis. Crafted from vineyards averaging 25 years old in proximity to Chablis village, this wine benefits from Pierrick Laroche's meticulous vineyard and cellar work. On the nose, aromas of lemon zest, green apple and honeysuckle are found, reflecting the influence of the Kimmeridgian limestone soils. The palate is treated to vibrant acidity and flavors of citrus, stone fruits and a subtle mineral note, showing the hallmark terroir-driven character of Chablis. While youthful and delicious now, this Chablis also possesses the structure and acidity to evolve and gain more complexity over 5-10 years.

Product Description: The 2023 Yabby Lake Tasmania Coal River Chardonnay is a stunning debut from the newly acquired Tasmanian vineyard in the Coal River Valley. Handpicked in early April, the fruit was carefully handled and transferred to Yabby Lake’s winery under climate-controlled conditions. The wine underwent fermentation in 500L French oak barrels, with 20% of the barrels being new to impart subtle complexity. The resulting wine is a vibrant, textured Chardonnay, with aromas of citrus blossom, orchard fruits, and a touch of struck match. The palate is concentrated and rounded, with a perfect balance between fruit and acidity. The wine promises excellent aging potential, making it a must-try for collectors and Chardonnay enthusiasts alike. Maker: Yabby Lake was founded by the Kirby family, who are passionate about producing wines that reflect the unique character of their vineyards. Winemaker Tom Carson, with years of experience in the industry, leads the team with a deep understanding of both the land and the seasons. With a focus on crafting wines that express the purity of each vintage, Yabby Lake specialises in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though the estate also grows small amounts of Pinot Gris and Syrah. The team at Yabby Lake embraces a hands-on approach to viticulture, carefully selecting and handling each parcel separately to bring out the best in the fruit. The recent acquisition of a vineyard in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley marks an exciting new chapter for the winery, further expanding its capacity to produce exceptional wines with the same commitment to quality that has defined Yabby Lake since its inception. Philosophy: Yabby Lake’s winemaking philosophy revolves around creating wines that express the essence of their vineyard and the unique characteristics of each vintage. Each parcel of fruit is hand-selected, and the team takes a meticulous approach, often bottling individual parcels under the ‘Single Block Release’ label if they stand out for their distinct personality. Winemaker Tom Carson emphasises a deep understanding of the vineyards, allowing the team to make intuitive decisions that enhance the wines' expression. The winery’s commitment to quality is evident in their dedication to sustainability, with all aspects of the vineyard and winery operations focused on preserving the environment while crafting wines of exceptional character. The recent expansion into Tasmania's Coal River Valley allows Yabby Lake to continue this journey, exploring the nuances of a new terroir while maintaining their unwavering commitment to producing top-tier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tasting Notes: Nose Citrus Blossom, Orchard Fruits, and Hazelnut The nose is delicate and aromatic, with notes of citrus blossom, ripe orchard fruits, and a hint of struck match. There’s also a touch of hazelnut that adds a layer of complexity. Palate Concentrated, Rounded, and Textured The palate is concentrated and round, with a serious texture and mouthfeel. The fruit is perfectly balanced by fresh acidity, creating a harmonious and elegant profile. Finish Precise and Long The finish is precise and long, with lingering fruit and mineral notes, promising years of further development.

Product Description: The Fletcher C23 Langhe DOC Chardonnay 2023 showcases the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that David Fletcher has cultivated since his move to Barbaresco. Sourced from a combination of established vineyards and David’s own plots, this Chardonnay is a true reflection of its unique terroir. With a focus on organic viticulture and minimal intervention, this wine combines fresh, bright acidity with complexity and elegance. The 2023 vintage is the result of careful whole-bunch pressing and natural fermentation, aged in a mix of new and older French oak barrels. The outcome is a balanced, textured wine with vibrant citrus and orchard fruit notes, and a creamy, mineral finish. Maker David Fletcher’s journey to producing exceptional Nebbiolo began in 2004, when his passion for this iconic Italian grape led him to Italy. Immersing himself in the traditions of Barbaresco and Barolo, he honed his craft and dedication to Nebbiolo, ultimately creating Fletcher Wines to blend his love for Italian winemaking with Australia’s unique terroir. By 2012, Fletcher settled in Barbaresco, where he continues to produce wines that reflect both the best of Italian tradition and Australian innovation. Fletcher’s self-professed obsession with Nebbiolo has become the cornerstone of his winemaking philosophy. An Australian by birth, Fletcher’s journey to the Langhe hills of Piemonte was driven by an undeniable passion for Nebbiolo’s transcendent quality, and now, he calls Barbaresco home. Starting his winemaking career early, Fletcher didn’t inherit a winery or follow a family tradition—his passion for winemaking grew organically, alongside his love for the land and the grape variety he reveres. Today, Fletcher’s wines are a testament to his dedication, not only to Nebbiolo but to the unique expression it can have in both Italy and Australia. With the production of no more than 25,000 bottles annually, Fletcher Wines remains a highly sought-after, small-scale winery with a focus on quality over quantity. His ability to craft world-class Nebbiolo, alongside his expanding portfolio of wines, is a reflection of his ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries and continuing the exploration of this exceptional grape. Philosophy David Fletcher’s winemaking philosophy is built on a foundation of organic viticulture, sustainability, and the pursuit of both tradition and innovation. With a commitment to certified organic vineyards and sites in conversion, Fletcher is dedicated to cultivating healthier vines and creating a lower environmental impact. In response to the increasing monoculture in the Langhe, he has also invested in preserving biodiversity by owning land in forests, swamps, and grasslands, offsetting the land used for grape production. Fletcher sees himself as fortunate to make wines in the Langhe, a region rich with winemaking history, but he values the freedom to deconstruct tradition and craft wines without boundaries. He embraces spontaneous ferments using the ‘pied de cuve’ method and works with old wood barrels to bring out the unique character of each wine. With a focus on small batches, no filtering or fining, and minimal intervention, Fletcher allows the wine to evolve naturally, reflecting both his passion and the distinctiveness of the terroir. Always searching for the best vineyards, Fletcher’s wines aim to capture a true sense of place and continue to push boundaries, crafting wines that are both innovative and a tribute to the land they come from. NOSE: Citrus and Orchard Fruits with Subtle Oak Fresh and vibrant, with notes of zesty lemon, ripe peach, and green apple. A delicate hint of vanilla and toasted oak adds a layer of complexity, blending seamlessly with the fruit-driven aromas. PALATE: Textured and Balanced with Lively Acidity Crisp citrus fruit, complemented by creamy mouthfeel and subtle nuances of almond and brioche. The wine maintains a bright acidity that balances its richness, offering a harmonious and well-rounded structure. FINISH: Long, Mineral-Infused Finish Lingering notes of citrus zest and a touch of flinty minerality. This refreshing, crisp finish highlights the wine’s focus and precision, leaving a lasting impression of elegance. Reviews and Accolades: “A balanced, textured wine with vibrant citrus and orchard fruit notes.” – Wine Enthusiast “A beautiful example of Chardonnay from the Langhe, with elegance and complexity.” – Wine Advocate

One of Australias greatest examples of Chardonnay. This wine presents an intensely peachy, apricot laced nose with some cream, butterscotch, toast, nuts & orange blossom. Crisp, rich & full-bodied, a racy citrusy character comes through on the palate complimenting the stone fruits. The finish is long & leesy. 95 Points | James Halliday.

Product Information: The NV Brut 7 Crus is a very pretty. Bright, mineral and intensely vibrant, the 7 Crus is full of energy and refreshment. 7 Crus is a blend of two harvests: in this case, 60% is 2021 from 1er Cru sites; and 40% is 2020 from Grand Cru sites. The reserve wine was raised in neutral, 600-litre oak casks from François Chidaine and Didier Dagueneau. The breakdown is 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. Even at this first level, the wine is aged for three years on lees. It was disgorged with 6 g/L dosage. This is the most immediately seductive cuvée in the Agrapart range, yet it is still extremely fine. It’s long, deep and saline with some gentle grip. Sadly, we do not get nearly enough. The reviews below refer to a previous disgorgement. Disg. March 2024. The Agrapart range begins with a non-vintage wine called 7 Crus. The name refers to the seven Côte des Blancs villages from which the wine derives. These include Avize (from younger vines aged 20 to 40 years), Cramant, Oger, Oiry, Avenay-Val-d’Or, Coligny and Vauciennes. Like all Agrapart wines, the fruit is from 100% estate-owned and farmed vineyards. Maker: In 1894 at the beginning of France’s lively Belle Époque “the beautiful era” or Europe's golden era between 1871 to 1914. Arthur Agrapart started the family domaine that would become Champagne Agrapart & Fils. The estate has weathered many storms, including World War I, an economic depression, and the German Occupation during World War II, which devastated stock by millions of cases throughout the region. In the 1950s, Arthur’s grandson Pierre set out to rebuild the family business by making wines of quality rather than following the commercial trends of the day. Pierre’s sons Pascal and Fabrice took over the reins in 1990, farming their own vineyards along the prestigious Côte de Blancs, as well as blending and bottling their own wines. By the early 2000s, upon realising the brothers did not have the same goals for the future of the estate, Pascal began the long-term process of dividing the estate in two. His vineyards would become the backbone of Domaine Pascal Agrapart, focusing on the unique single vineyard cuvées that he had championed since the early 1990s and the remaining family vineyards would provide the fruit for the assemblage cuvées, 7 Crus & Terroirs, still bottled under the Agrapart & Fils label today. Pascal has been joined by his eldest son Ambroise and their ultimate goal is to produce only wines bearing the Pascal Agrapart label. Philosophy: The winery is based in the grand cru village of Avize, famous for its cuvees of 100% Chardonnay. Pascal and Ambroise farm 10 hectares from some 60 different vineyard plots in the Côte de Blancs, including Oger, Cramant, Oiry and Avize. They farm using only homeopathic vine treatments, composts, manures, and regular plowing. The Agraparts were one of the first families to bring the draft horse back to the vineyards, and named a cuvee in honour of their first four-hooved friend, Vénus. In plowing the old-school way, they expose the clay and limestone soils to immune-boosting properties of the wind and sun. While they once were the object of ridicule, they now lead a return to authentic, ancestral practices. Their quality control extends to manual harvests, a selective triage of the grapes, and the use of native yeasts during fermentation. Malolactic fermentations are employed to round out the intensity of these mineral-driven Champagnes. The wines age on their lees for an extended period of time, and then are racked to both stainless steel and neutral oak barrels—the latter being a rarity in Champagne before Pascal started using them. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered. Nose - Apricots, Pears, Fennel Vibrant fruit here, with peaches, apricots, lemons, pears, almonds and spicy anise notes. Palate - Intense Minerality, Pillowy Palate, Citrus Peel medium to full-bodied, ample and pillowy palate. Finish - Chalk, Lingering Citrus, Saline White flowers, chalk and citrus linger.

Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay displays an initial bouquet of slate and wet stone, with nuances of lightly roasted almonds. Subtle hints of citrus, shrouded by nectarine and nashi pear fruits. On the palate, a spiced multi-citrus compote with a very delicate acidity. Balanced and will develop exceptionally well with cellaring.

The blend is 100% Chardonnay from various years (20 to 25% of which are reserve wines from the 2 previous years). A large majority of Premiers Crus from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims vineyards for aromatic refinement, supplemented by Sézannais wines known to provide maturity. Finally, several wines from the north of the Vesle valley give a light, fresh touch.