2021 Schmolzer & Brown Brunnen Chardonnay

Brunnen is a pretty darn amazing wee vineyard, a beautiful site tucked into a little pocket ‘across the road’ from Thorley Vineyard. There’s an almost Jura bent to this wine, albeit a lighter expression of the typical things of that place. Everything so considered at VS&B. And good for that.

MB: Really great drinking. Complex, quite concentrated, very saline and briny with hazelnut and almond characters galore – things we like. The green apple tang is there, grapefruit zing as well, some rice cracker notes, a wild streak of faint aldehyde (let’s say more salinity/minerally things) and all of that wrapped up in very high drinkability with great persistence and general sense of interest. Character-filled in the very best way. Nigh on sensational. 96 points.

GW: Such personality and strength of character, a little brittle salted toffee, praline, green apple and grapefruit, with a bright almost sherry-like tang to acidity, a light creaminess, fine chalky texture, bone dry, yet kind of succulent, with a long samphire and fennel laced finish. Lots of crunch and energy here. Super. 96 points.

Rated : 96 Points
Tasted : Aug23
Alcohol : 12.5%
Closure : Diam
Drink : 2023 - 2029+