{"product_id":"medhurst-wines-reserve-chardonnay-2021","title":"2021 Medhurst Reserve Chardonnay | Rare Yarra Valley Chardonnay","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🍷 JUST 50 DOZEN PRODUCED | INCREDIBLY RARE MEDHURST RESERVE CHARDONNAY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pinnacle of Medhurst Chardonnay. This is where Medhurst gets seriously exciting.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeautifully layered, sophisticated Chardonnay. The attraction here is the combination of concentration and precision.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eYarra Valley, Victoria\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRP $112.50 a bottle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2021 Medhurst Reserve Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e sits at the very top of the Medhurst Chardonnay hierarchy—a limited-release wine produced to showcase the very best the estate can achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst describes its Reserve wines as representing its \u003cstrong\u003ehighest-quality, true small-batch winemaking\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the Reserve tier sitting above the Estate range. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd 2021 wasn't just another vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst describes it as an \u003cstrong\u003e“excellent\/benchmark vintage”\u003c\/strong\u003e, with beautifully balanced fruit weight, complexity, line and length. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd \u003cstrong\u003e96 points from Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e, and this becomes a very serious bottle of Yarra Valley Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect a beautifully layered, sophisticated Chardonnay showing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite peach and nectarine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLemon curd\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrapefruit and citrus zest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreen apple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eToasted hazelnut\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCashew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubtle struck-match complexity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine French oak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreamy lees texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMineral freshness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attraction here is the combination of \u003cstrong\u003econcentration and precision\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's beautiful stone fruit through the centre of the palate, but citrus acidity provides energy and drive. Fine oak and lees-derived texture add another layer without overwhelming the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith several years of bottle age now behind it, expect the youthful citrus and stone fruit to begin developing more complex \u003cstrong\u003enutty, savoury and creamy characters\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Chardonnay with substance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's exactly the sort of score you'd expect from a flagship Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut what makes this release particularly compelling is the combination of \u003cstrong\u003eReserve-level selection and the quality of the 2021 vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's own vintage report describes 2021 as producing fruit with intense flavours and beautiful natural acidity, resulting in wines with excellent balance, complexity, line and length. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose are precisely the ingredients required for great Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReserve Means the Best of Medhurst\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't simply an Estate Chardonnay with a different label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eReserve range represents the pinnacle of Medhurst's production\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery describes these wines as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimited releases. True small-batch winemaking.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's Reserve tasting also specifically showcases its Reserve wines alongside their Estate counterparts, with the winery describing the Reserve tier as representing the \u003cstrong\u003ehighest quality and true small-batch winemaking\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes the 2021 Reserve Chardonnay particularly interesting for anyone who already knows the excellent Medhurst Estate Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the next level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Benchmark 2021 Yarra Valley Vintage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of the 2021 vintage adds another reason to buy this wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst describes the growing season as a \u003cstrong\u003e“true roller coaster with a great result in the end.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter a wet beginning and later-than-average budburst, conditions improved significantly. Mild, dry and warm weather allowed excellent flowering and fruit set, followed by a mild December.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter rain in January, February turned warm but not excessively hot, with only \u003cstrong\u003e4mm of rainfall\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing the fruit to ripen evenly before picking began in the third week of February. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting fruit showed \u003cstrong\u003eintense flavour and beautiful natural acidity\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedhurst's conclusion?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn excellent, benchmark vintage.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a Chardonnay designed to age, that's exactly what you want.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAn Aged Release – Ready to Drink Now\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's another big selling point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't the latest vintage being released immediately after bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a \u003cstrong\u003e2021 Reserve Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e with around five years of development from vintage already behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's significant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat Chardonnay changes dramatically with bottle age. Primary citrus and stone-fruit characters begin moving towards \u003cstrong\u003ehazelnut, toast, nougat, beeswax and savoury complexity\u003c\/strong\u003e, while the acidity and mineral structure remain underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo instead of buying a premium Chardonnay and waiting years for it to develop, much of that work has already been done for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is entering a fantastic drinking window now.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive this something worthy of it:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLobster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeared scallops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eButter-poached marron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKingfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled snapper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast chicken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrab linguine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMushroom and truffle risotto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePork belly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComté or Gruyère\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon't serve it refrigerator-cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround \u003cstrong\u003e10–12°C\u003c\/strong\u003e in a large Chardonnay or Burgundy glass will allow the texture and complexity to really open up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCellaring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of \u003cstrong\u003e2021's excellent natural acidity\u003c\/strong\u003e, Reserve-level fruit and the structure of serious Yarra Valley Chardonnay means there's no need to rush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrink now–2032+.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRight now you should get a fascinating combination of youthful fruit and emerging bottle-aged complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the next few years, expect more \u003cstrong\u003etoast, nuts, honey and savoury characters\u003c\/strong\u003e to emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very different proposition from buying a young $100+ Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou're getting a \u003cstrong\u003elimited-production Reserve wine\u003c\/strong\u003e, from what Medhurst itself calls an \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent\/benchmark vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e, with several years of bottle development already behind it. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen there's the score:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points – Halliday Wine Companion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the Reserve positioning matters. Medhurst specifically identifies this tier as representing the \u003cstrong\u003ebest it produces\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a focus on limited releases and small-batch winemaking. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eRRP $112.50\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003e2021 Medhurst Reserve Chardonnay\u003c\/strong\u003e belongs firmly in the premium Yarra Valley Chardonnay conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the real attraction is that you don't have to wait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFive years from vintage, this is exactly the sort of Chardonnay I'd be excited to open now—still fresh and energetic, but beginning to show the nutty, creamy, savoury complexity that only comes with time.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you love serious Chardonnay from \u003cstrong\u003eYarra Yering, By Farr, Giaconda, Bindi or Mount Mary\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a Medhurst wine worth discovering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medhurst Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52418637988142,"sku":null,"price":112.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0950\/5010\/5134\/files\/c91ddf45-4851-431b-b093-799486cea7d4.png?v=1786595353","url":"https:\/\/liquidvibe.com.au\/products\/medhurst-wines-reserve-chardonnay-2021","provider":"liquidvibe.com.au","version":"1.0","type":"link"}