Tasting Profile
March 2026
The fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed directly into a combination of French oak barriques and puncheons (15% of which were new), where fermentation occurred spontaneously with ambient yeasts. Following fermentation, the wine was aged on lees for 11 months. It was bottled with minimal filtration.
Bright and explosive, this Chardonnay opens with layers of citrus and stone fruit, unfolding with energy and lift. A gentle note of flinty reduction adds intrigue, while subtle oak toast brings warmth and depth without overshadowing the fruit. The palate is generous yet poised, carrying impressive fruit intensity framed by bright, refreshing acidity. Textural and layered, with a fine phenolic grip that adds shape and interest, the wine finishes long, balanced and quietly complex.
13.0% alc.
Reviews
The WineFront, May 2026
Campbell Mattinson
We have a winner here. This is crisp and elegant and textural and long, and throughout it just simply tastes good. It’s as good or better than any Bellvale Chardonnay I’ve had previous. It tastes of pears, nectarines, oyster shells and grapefruit, with hay, cedar and toast notes layered over the top – the latter in the most subtle way possible. If this is a sign of things to come from the Bellvale vineyard, under new ownership, then we have a lot to look forward to.
94 points
The Vintage
The Vineyard
Bellvale was established in 1998 with a determined vision to grow and produce high-quality site-expressive Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Located in the lush Tarwin River Valley of South Gippsland, the 19 ha north-facing, dry-grown, high-density vineyard lies 165 to 195 m above sea level on deep red loam of volcanic origin.
We are honoured to be the new custodians of this remarkable cool-climate site.
Our wines are made from domain-grown, handpicked grapes and aim to manifest terroir: the integration of our geology and soils with the macroclimate of our region, the mesoclimates of the various sites within our vineyard and the weather of the annual grape growing season. Our cultural operations in the vineyard and practices in the winery endeavour to articulate these unique characteristics diligently and respectfully.