Description

The first release of what could easily be a new Australian classic – Elanto Vineyard Chardonnay. This is a blend of 3 sites on the Elanto Vineyard.
Each site is picked when ready and made into a wine before blending.

I’ll update my notes when I finally get to taste the Elanto Vineyard Chardonnay, but I have 100% confidence this wine will be amazing.

Elanto Vineyard Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula 2023, and all wines are eligible for at least 5% off any six bottles. And 10% off any 12 bottles. Some wines will be at a more significant discount and not subject to further discounts.

Elanto Vineyard is a partnership between Sandro Mosele and Tony Todaro. Sandro, I have known for a long time through his work at Kooyong Vineyard when that started. His ability to craft amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is near legendary. So hearing that he has planted a new site, or collection of 8 sites, is happy news indeed. I look forward to seeing and tasting more of the wines from the Elanto Vineyard.

Elanto Vineyard Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula 2023 Wine Notes

Jane Faulkner
Halliday Wine Companion.
“The inaugural release and it’s a beauty. It entices immediately with aromas of citrus blossom, ginger flower, struck flint, and warm woody spices. There’s a savouriness within alongside grapefruit and pith with lemon-infused creamy lees, grilled nuts and oak spice, all adding layers of texture. It’s moreish thanks to a whisper of sulphides and while the fuller-bodied palate is shapely, super fine acidity extends the length and ties everything together.”

Campbell Mattinson
Winefront.
“Fantastic intensity of flavour matched to fantastic length. This is a chardonnay for lovers of chardonnay. There’s cedarwood oak in play, and a kind of nutty-creaminess too, but it’s the blaze of pear, white peach, grapefruit and steel that really woos. Citrussy acidity teams with the pear characters to give the wine an air of juicy refreshment, but everything is in the context of flavour, bold and delicious. This is an exceptional first release, and a truly beautiful wine.”

Mornington Peninsula 

Mornington is one of the star regions in Melbourne’s dress circle. Varied success depending on terroir and winemaker, but the best are outstanding. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can excel with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sparkling, all capable of impressive wines too.

Chardonnay

The grape that you can plant anywhere, in any climate and do anything to, and it will still taste like an OK wine. When people hit the sweet spot of site, climate, cropping and winemaking, Chardonnay becomes a magical wine that will age gracefully but charm you at any age. Chardonnays can range from cool-climate lean and citrusy to warmer climate tropical and overt. Oak and lees can add flavouring, as can malolactic fermentation.

Australian Wine

The invasion of “Sunshine in a bottle” put Australian wine on the map.  The fruity, easy-going, somewhat samey wines were endearing for a short time. Then the next big thing knocked them off their perch.

This forced producers to increase quality and emphasise the distinctive terroirs of Australia. Of which, there are many. And many more yet to be discovered.

Wine

Wine is the result you get from fermented grape juice. There is proof of wine production dating back 8000 years ago. Fashions, innovations and many other factors have influenced the way wine has evolved over the years.

The wine grape is special. It contains everything you need to make grape wine except for the yeast, which lives on the outside of the skins.

Human inputs can influence the final product, including the viticulture (growing) choices. And the winemaker can shape the wine to a point too.

The best wines of the world often refer to terroir. Terroir is a French term that refers to all the climatic, geological and topographical influences on a specific piece of land. And it is true that neighbouring vineyards, grown identically, can taste noticeably different.

White Wine

It is interesting to know that you can make white wine from almost any grape. The colour comes from the skins, and if there is no contact, there is no colour. White wines tend to be delicate, perfumed, higher in acid and lower in alcohol. It seems for this and many other reasons, it is hard to make an incredibly impressive white wine. But those that have mastered the art are indeed some of the best winemakers in the world.

It is a falsehood to think that white wine does not age as well as red wine. But it is correct that white wine, as a rule, doesn’t age for as long.

The Wine Depository

I, Phil, have been running The Wine Depository since 2011. The Wine Depository exists to make sure you are drinking the good wines. You can browse and pick what is interesting to you. Or you can make contact with me. I’ll make sure you get what you want, to your palate, to your budget and to your door.