So I accidentally froze this Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Chardonnay 2015.

It was completely my fault as I stuck it in there to chill it fast and then forgot. The next day I opened the freezer and there it was, the screwcap popped open and frozen wine seeping out like a slurpee (see frozen bottle below).

Balls.

Luckily the wine is still in fine shapes, tasting as good now as when I tried it at the winery earlier this year…

Sourced from the Griffin Road block at 750m altitude near Bloodwood, this straw green/yellow coloured Orange Chardonnay is still very young, the nose cool and toasty. It’s quality oak though, and the white nectarine palate is pure and rich. Unexpectedly rich, the fleshy middle palate nicely balanced by ultra-taut grapefruit acidity.

Sure, this tastes just-bottled. But the balance is so good that this is already a top shelf drink, with both richness and acidity. A big yes from me, with more to come. Best drinking: 2017-2022. 18/20, 93/100+. 12.5%, $35. Would I buy it? Absolutely.

Buy online: Ross Hill website