ELANTO CHARDONNAY 2023
Region: Balnarring, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Viticulture: High-density, close-planted vineyard, sustainable practices
Culinary Suggestions: Grilled lobster, roast poultry, wild mushroom risotto
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottle Size: 750 ml
This first-release Chardonnay from Elanto Vineyard showcases the unique potential of high-density planting on the Mornington Peninsula. A bright, structured wine with vibrant acidity, it reveals layers of pear, white peach, and a subtle minerality, making it a fitting selection for discerning Chardonnay enthusiasts.
Overview
The 2023 Elanto Chardonnay embodies a fresh chapter for Mornington Peninsula’s wine landscape. Elanto Vineyard, established in 2018, is meticulously crafted with expert input from renowned winemaker Sandro Mosele. Spanning over 10 hectares and with vines densely planted at over 11,000 per hectare, the vineyard is set against the backdrop of Balnarring’s south-eastern slopes, offering cooling breezes from Western Port Bay.
This Chardonnay is a blend of fruit from three distinct vineyard blocks—Verge, Buckshot, and Seawinds—each vinified separately before aging in French oak barriques, with both new and seasoned barrels imparting nuanced oak character. Aged further in concrete vats, this method provides added texture and a refined mouthfeel. Noted for its cedar undertones, nutty creaminess, and citrusy freshness, this wine balances depth and intensity while maintaining elegance.
Elanto’s high-density planting and innovative winemaking practices signal a commitment to capturing Mornington Peninsula’s terroir at an exceptional level. Mosele, previously associated with Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate, brings a deft touch to the project, crafting wines that carry hallmark elegance with distinctive regional expression.
Cork Tasting Notes
The 2023 Elanto Chardonnay opens with expressive aromas of citrus blossom, flinty minerality, and delicate oak spice. On the palate, it combines the brightness of pear and grapefruit with a savoury edge, displaying an appealing tension between lush fruit and zesty acidity. A whisper of sulphides adds a subtle complexity, while the wine’s persistent finish hints at its ageing potential. Ideal for those who appreciate a Chardonnay that marries richness with restraint, this release sets a high bar for what promises to be an exciting vineyard journey for Elanto.
Critic Reviews
95 points
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front August 2024
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.
Drink 2024 - 2030+