The Fogarty family first landed in Tasmania from Ireland in the mid-1800s, and have recently returned to their roots with their exciting project Lowestoft. Produced from the close-planted (8,300 vines per hectare) vines at Lowestoft planted in 1986.

Coal River Valley chardonnay, whole-bunch pressed into seasoned French oak (300L) for wild ferment before maturing for nine months in oak prior to blending and bottling. Pale straw, with vibrant aromas of grapefruit, white peach and nectarine cut with hints of struck-match complexity, spiced oatmeal, almond paste and riverstone. There's a lot going on here. It's like an orchestra; you can hear it as a whole but are able to delineate and pick out individual instruments, politely golf (orchestra?) clapping as you go, marvelling at the tautly stretched fruit canvas, umami-rich acid line and overall composition and drive. A cracker. Date: Sept 2024; Alcohol: 13%; Drink by: 2034; Rating: 96 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion