Southern Lights Ghostgum Chardonnay 2023

Ken Gargett writes "The third release of the Ghost Gum wines from Mornington Peninsula, more specifically the legendary Main Ridge sub-region, and great to see standards are being maintained. Whole bunch pressing, the wine saw a wild ferment in a mix of French oak barrels, 300 litre and 500 litre, 30% of them new. 30% of the blend was unsulphured to increase both freshness and complexity. Under diam. Straw lemon, the nose exhibits notes of stone fruit, almonds, spices, peaches, a hint of pear, citrus, notably orange blossoms, and a touch of herbs, with a flinty, minerally backing. This is still very much a youthful Chardonnay and the best is yet to come. The oak has been deftly handled, there is juicy acidity and there is real intensity. A wine of focus and serious length, which will continue to improve over the next decade. A cracker."

Campbell Mattinson writes "The delicacy, the length, the inherent power, the character. From the first sip we’re away and we’re flying. Pears, grapefruit, lemon, cedar and rushes of nutty, flinty, tonic-like nuances. There’s nothing in-your-face about this wine, it’s an example of elegance plus plus, and yet a few sips in and it’s all you can think about. Besides, the finish of this wine – and the long curl of it – is the real deal. The vines this wine was grown on were planted in 1990, and every speck of this wine feels mature, considered and at peace with the world. Go you good thing. This wine is beautiful."

The winery writes "Immediately generous nose with aromas of honeysuckle, marzipan and lemon tart. A citrus core and more tension on the palate than the nose suggests with further richness expected to develop with age."