2023 Murdoch Hill The Tilbury Chardonnay

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - Decanter

A crushed rock flintiness to oyster shell brininess, melding with verdant hints of mint and other garden herbs, smattered amid orchard fruits and citrus. Demur, youthful, tightly coiled and in need of time. Yet the acidity is juicy rather than hard. The finish, compelling and impressively long, directed by a confluence of French and larger format Austrian oak, much in vogue. This is bound to age very well, such is the thrilling precision, succulent acidity and powerful carry-through. A lovely wine from a rising star of the contemporary Australian Chardonnay scene, Michael Downer.

95 POINTS

Katrina Butler - Halliday Wine Companion

A very cool and wet vintage for the Hills would've brought with it many challenges, not that you'd sense it here. The wine saw full mlf to combat the austerity of acids, and while it is still extremely tight and coiled in its youth, this will relax with bottle-age into something remarkable. Citrus, both lemon and lime, with some grapefruit pith and curry leaf, a thread of salinity flush with white stone fruit and crushed rock. It's tantalising, electric and bound to reward patience.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

Discrete and inviting aromas of grapefruit rind, lime zest, river stones and nectarines. The palate is medium-bodied with vivid acidity and a generous mouthfeel, giving notes of orange peel, Asian pears and oyster shells. A tight wine that will soften nicely in the years to come.

93 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2023 Chardonnay Tilbury is a little shy but engaging, delivering a precise core of youthful pink grapefruit aromas with prominent yet balanced gunflint and finely pitched oak. Impressive flavor drive follows, thanks to firm acidity, and while still tightly bound, this wine shows excellent definition and subtlety over a lengthy, fine finish. A delicious mid-term proposition that still needs a little time to settle.

92 POINTS

Mike Bennie - The Wine Front

Of an ilk. And good for many or some. It’s so flinty and firm. Ozone and struck match with pumice and green apple lime. Very grippy and chalky, though some will like the juice-meets-hot-flinty moments here. Quite bitter and sour lemon zone things going on with green apple and pink grapefruit both at their bitter, pithy apex. Very precise, Breathy with that flinty funk. Light nougat in here too. But geez the chalk and firmness is  a thing. Take your time.