2021 Sidewood Estate Mappinga Chardonnay

96 POINTS

Wine Pilot

A miracle vintage, according to Sidewood’s head winemaker Daryl Catlin, who has crafted this superb expression of Hills Chardonnay from Dijon Clones grown at the estate’s Oakbank vineyard on Mappinga Road. All elite techniques in play: partial whole bunch, wild yeast fermented and matured in 30% larger format new French oak, that are then best-selected for this outing. It’s all class with tasteful, crunchy white nectarine character, again edged with some herbal bitters that are becoming a vineyard and winemaking theme here – this time with a subtle note of bitter lemon. The palate exudes all of those elements with balance and complexity, grape phenolics meeting with an even acidity. This is a sophisticated and very adult Chardonnay. Stop Press: It was judged Best Wine of the Show, Best White Wine, Best Chardonnay and Best Single Vineyard Wine at the 2023 Adelaide Hills regional Wine Show. It will be released mid-2024.

96 POINTS

Patrick Eckel

A layered nose of nectarine and white peach that enjoys both flint and cashew nuances. The palate has an electricity to it with a citrus baseline of acidity.

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - Halliday's Wine Companion

Barrel fermented spontaneously as partial whole bunches before further ageing for 10 months. The bells and whistles have been thrown at this, yet the result is delicious. White fig, cantaloupe and nectarine densely packed within a carapace of vanillin pod oak and juicy acidity, all shimmering across the textural scape and dragging the flavours long, crunchy and succulent.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

Barrel fermented spontaneously as partial whole bunches before further ageing for 10 months. Bells and whistles have been thrown at this, however the result is delicious. White fig, cantaloupe and nectarines are densely packed within a shell of vanillin pod oak and juicy acidity, all shimmering across the textural scape and dragging the flavors long, crunchy and succulent. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

94 POINTS

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

It's superbly complex and inviting on the nose showing ripe stone fruit, vanilla, assorted nut and brioche characters with a touch of lemon zest. The flavoursome palate delivers richly textured mouthfeel and beautifully pitched acidity, finishing plush and satisfying.

94 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Tasted alongside the Owen’s 2021 Chardonnay, and this is the more generous offering, in terms of weight and flavour. Peach, subtle tropical fruit, nougat and plenty of biscuit spice oak, some struck match. It’s glossy and a little toasty/savoury, with some creamy/lactic flavours in with a mix of citrus and fresh pineapple, a light flinty texture, rich in flavour, but still pretty tight, with a chalky finish of good length. You have to not mind a bit of oak, though it’s good quality wood, for sure. Good stuff.

93 POINTS

Decanter World Wine Awards

Smoky nose with nots of toast and nutty oak and mineral undertones. Intense and juicy on the palate. Excellent.