Stonier Reserve Chardonnay 2024

96 POINTS

Shanteh Wale - Winepilot

Take the adoration you have for Stonier, the brand, but open your heart to the articulate eye of its new caretaker. This is a brand new day in Stonier’s tale, with one eye on the past and both feet striding forward. Predominantly from 40+ year old vines, north and east facing. Wild ferment, no battonage, partial malo and into French puncheons of which 19% is new. The wine is a wisp of salt spray and silver woolly bush leaves, dropped backyard lemons and crunchy nectarines. The peeling back of an artifact is tangible with purity of white fleshed citrus fruit at its core. Some self raising flour and cream cheese creaminess on the finish. Linear but with its tissue and threads of power that pull at the flavour for very long moments. A bright and crystal clear wine that stands confidently in its grounded roots. A wine for snapper fillets, a light dredge of flour and beef tallow chips. Drink now or will cellar well for another decade or more. This is the junction point of Stonier Chardonnay, centred with a clear path laid ahead of it. Watch this space, this is wine I would like to see again in 3, 5 and 10 years.

95 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

There’s a freshness and vitality running through all the ’24 chardonnays, which is pleasing to witness. In a way, the Reserve is reserved, a bit of coaxing needed to show off its touch of lemon and grapefruit, lime blossom, the merest hint of struck match, beeswax and spicy oak. The palate is refined and even, a little textural with fine, cleansing and mouth-watering acidity. I’d like to sit back at lunch with a glass or two of this and then take the rest of the day off. So, I did.

95 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

They only made 220 dozen of this Reserve Chardonnay. There was a time in the past when the production of Stonier Reserve Chardonnay was in the vicinity of 2000 dozen. Production volumes are no guarantee for or against quality but clearly the emphasis in the winery is not on volume. Great intensity of fruit and of texture here. Some nuttiness, some florals, some custardy characters, but it’s all driven by intense, seductive stonefruit with salt and tonic notes inlaid. “Premium wine has to have power,” winemaker Julian Grounds says, “and it has to have longevity. I don’t want it to be just an intellectual exercise.” This release is essential or inherently elegant but it’s also grippy and textured and intense. We don’t use the words “al dente” in relation to white wine often but this wine evokes those words. It has a firmness and a presence to go with its power and length. It’s in great shape. It’s an excellent Stonier Reserve Chardonnay.

95 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The 2024 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from three vineyards, all made from the historic P58 clone. It's poised and precise with coiled, powerful aromas of ruby grapefruit and lemon, and subtle but well-placed new French oak. A tightrope of acidity and citrus leaf flavours hold true through to a pristine, exceptionally long finish. Seamless and superbly balanced.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Citrus-driven aromas lead the way, complemented by mineral, salty-edged notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a textural mouthfeel and focused acidity, showing orange blossoms, baking spices and grapefruit. Great balance, albeit very closed in its youth. Lovely underlying power and tension.