Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Best White Wine of 2022 - Decanter Magazine UK
Top 100 Wines of Australia 2022 - James Suckling

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (Shaw & Smith) purchased the vineyard in 2011 after a look-and-see jaunt to Tasmania when they became smitten by Tolpuddle's Coal Valley location and mature vines, planted only to pinot noir and chardonnay. They are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia's great single vineyards. 

"The Chardonnay has achieved spectacular heights in its short life so far. The 2021 displays the coolness of vintage as only Tasmania can. Fresher than the Amazon after a rain shower, the wine oozes precision and the pinpoint accuracy of a fine cut diamond. Powerful and beguiling."  Shanteh Wale

In barely a decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of the country's top producers. It produces wines of blistering precision and finesse which have received rave critical acclaim. They are highly sought-after and are some of the finest examples of chardonnay and pinot noir that can be found anywhere on the Apple Isle.

"If ever a new winery was born with blue blood in its veins, Tolpuddle would have to be it."  James Halliday

"A very exciting vintage. Quite expressive on the nose, with some lemon peel and quince notes. On the palate, there is some breadth and power, and a sense that this will be a long living wine. The touch of opulence is reined in by the classic Tolpuddle Vineyard seam of acidity, bringing the palate into its customary focused line. The grapes were all hand picked, whole bunch pressed, and fermented in French oak. The wine spent nine months in barrel with gentle stirring as required, then rested in tank on lees."  Tolpuddle

Expert reviews

"A spell-binding chardonnay. Tighter, more aligned and more precisely tuned than previous great vintages. The wine is brimming with citrus, peach and mineral notes, so concentrated and bracingly fresh. Do not miss this."  Gourmet Traveller Wine, Volume 22 No.3 - 100 points  ★★★★★

"Vincenzo Arnese: The nose is fresh and ripe with incredible structure, showing quince, candied lemon peel, grapefruit juice and subtle oak. A lingering acidity completes the frame of this outstanding wine.

Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW: A wonder of lightness and precision; a hedonistic mix of immediate restrained pleasure and long-term intellectual provocation. An amazingly subtle and complex finish. I adore this wine.

Amanda Barnes: Aromas of gunflint, lavender, lemon peel and wet stones lead into a mouthfilling yet svelte wine with mouthwatering acidity and a long, savoury finish. Will cellar well for more than a decade."  Panel Tasting, Decanter – 99 points and Best White Wine of 2022

"Another wine worthy of the 10-year anniversary Tolpuddle celebrated this year. Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in French oak with nine months' maturation in barrel. Pale straw in the glass with wonderfully ripe and focused white peach, nectarine and citrus notes dotted with notes of clotted cream, soft spice, struck match, crushed stone, almond paste, white flowers and cashew-like oak. It seems more precise this year, yeah? Coiled and mesmerisingly complex, those alluring sulphide notes a siren for this particular sailor, drawing me back to the glass. The finish is long and true, framed by a porcelain acidity that provides a killer cadence, driving the wine forward. This release is a ripper and cements Tolpuddle's place in the upper echelon of Australian chardonnay producers. Drink by 2029."  Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion - 98 points and Special Value Wine  ★ 

"I was shocked at the intensity of the 2021 Chardonnay when I first tasted it. How could a wine so young have this much flavor? It is polished, glassy and graceful. It unfurls in the mouth and soars long over the horizon. It's balanced and powerful, crouching at this early stage, but all the building blocks of greatness are here. A wine of extension, expansion and elegance—a formidable trio. Drink: 2022-2041."  Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate - 98 points

"This vintage marks the 10th vintage of Tolpuddle. The Chardonnay has achieved spectacular heights in its short life so far. The 2021 displays the coolness of vintage as only Tasmania can with lemonade citrus, crystal apple cucumber, talc and powdery chalk. Fresher than the Amazon after a rain shower, the wine oozes precision and the pinpoint accuracy of a fine cut diamond. Powerful and beguiling, drink with raw scallops or sweet raw prawn sashimi."  Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot – 98 points

"Pale lemon-yellow hue. Powerful aromatic lift with lemon curd and serious gun-smoke reduction. Palate is an exercise in power with finesse: lemon-balm core, with a multitude of complexing layers—smoky bacon, struck flint, cashew and spices... the list goes on. But amongst all that, it remains light on its feet and drives fresh and long almost forever to the finish. Drink 2022-2034."  Stuart Knox, The Real Review - 98 points

"Plenty of oak spice and smoke on the nose, then a palate dominated by an intense, smoky, saline character sitting on top of green apple fruit with a mealy texture coming through behind. Savoury, energetic and serious, propelled forwards and upwards by its piercing acidity. Drink: 2022-2036."  David Sly, Decanter – 98 points

"I like the slate, flint and stone aromas to the sliced apples and white dried pineapple. Lemon curd. Some honeysuckle, too. Full-bodied, with creamy texture and extremely long finish. Complete and beautiful. So well crafted. Drink or hold."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 97 points and Top 100 Wines of Australia 2022

"A dream. Always looked approachable and lovely. Fabulous tension on the nose. And a very broad, satisfying fruit that really fills in every space on the palate. Best yet!"  Jancis Robinson MW - 17.5+/20 points

Awards

Best White Wine of 2022 - Decanter Magazine UK
Top 100 Wines of Australia 2022 - James Suckling
Special Value Wine – Halliday Wine Companion  ★ 

About the winery

Tolpuddle Vineyard was established in 1988 by Bill Casimaty, Gary Crittenden and Tony Jordan and it took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs: English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. The leader of the Martyrs, George Loveless, served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard. The vineyard is planted with mature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, facing north-east, and sloping gently up from Back Tea Tree Road. The soil is light silica over sandstone and of moderate vigour, ensuring well-balanced vines producing grapes of great flavour and intensity. 

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (Shaw & Smith) purchased the vineyard in 2011 after a look-and-see jaunt to Tasmania when they became smitten by Tolpuddle's Coal Valley location and mature vines, planted only to pinot noir and chardonnay. They are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia's great single vineyards. 

In barely a decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of the country's top producers. It produces wines of blistering precision and finesse which have received rave critical acclaim. They are highly sought-after and are some of the finest examples of chardonnay and pinot noir that can be found anywhere on the Apple Isle.