Montalto’s bargain Pennon Hill Chardonnay 2015

Montalto Pennon Hill Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2015

Another wine to emphasise the quality of the 2015 Mornington Peninsula vintage.

Notably, Chardonnay yields in 2015 at Montalto were just 1.2T/acre which, is abysmal. Heck, Grand Cru Burgundy yields can be higher than that (circa 2.1T/acre)! Not surprising, though, given that 2014 crops were smaller again (and one season’s yield directly influences those of the following year).

According to the Montalto team, the 15s whites have ‘a little more flesh than 2014’, and some makers think this will be more of a red vintage than white. Time will tell…

Meanwhile, this Pennon Hill Chardonnay is effectively the entry level Montalto Chard, yet serious wine for $28. Sourced from the south facing Pennon Hill vineyard, supplemented with fruit from cooler plots around Red Hill. Aim is for minimal new oak influence (26% new barrels) and it hasn’t hurt this wine.

Golden straw, there is some sulphides funk, leesy fetta, white flowers and background white peach on the nose. Despite the fact it saw no new oak, this still has a lovely creamy fullness to the palate (clever lees work) and white peach followed by proper grapefruity acidity (smartly handled malo) before decent length.

Real craftsmanship here. An easy start to Mornington Chard, yet made with care. Sure, it’s not got the complexity of more expensive single vineyard wines, but the detail here would shame many super premium releases. Best drinking: 2016-2020. 17.8/20, 92/100. 13.3%, $28. Would I buy it? Sure would, especially for the dollars.