Elanto 2024 Offer

A terrific follow up to the inaugural release, coming out with more weight and body. Mid-straw gold and bright. Floral and waxy with lemon, spiced stone fruit, brown spices and honeycomb - lots within yet definitely in the savoury spectrum. Fuller bodied, rich, almost al dente with its phenolics and layers of texture via creamy, nutty lees. It's detailed yet supple, with a succulence thanks to the all-important uplifting acidity. Moreish and compelling. (96) JANE FAULKNER, James Halliday's Wine Companion

The Elanto vineyard - at Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula - is 10.6 hectares of 11,111 vines each hectare, which equates to a vineyard made up of 117, 777 individual vines. This is the second release of a chardonnay from this remarkable vineyard. It's made by Sandro Mosele.
This is seriously good. The intensity of fruit is the thing, and the associated length, though there's a keen textural element and just plenty of wow factor besides. Yellow peach, citrus, nougat, honeycomb and lemon blossom notes charge throughout. There's a lot of fruit, a deal of acidity, and a sizeable serve of oak, but all work together and all feel commanding. (96) CAMPBELL MATTINSON

STAFF PICKS 2025 - ROSCOE HALLIGAN-ROSE

Damn I like this wine a lot. There is a certain sheen, a gloss to it, a kind of swagger that immediately, and convincingly, demonstrates both the strength of fruit, especially compelling considering the age of the vines, and the steady hand of a blue-chip winemaker. This is great. At times Autumnal, at others decidedly vivid. Structurally its immaculately sculpted, fruit matching the network of filigreed tannins with ease. This is great. There is a treasure trove of character lurking just below the surface and a few years more in the bottle will see some of that detail move to more prominence. Long and energetically fruitful finish. A Pinot of real presence and class. If Sandro continues on this streak, or improves on it, we are looking at a genuine top tier player in the Australian Pinot scene. ROSCOE

SPECIAL VALUE - What a beguiling wine - only the second release and showing complexity far beyond its years. It's certainly youthful and pretty with heady aromas of florals and autumn leaves with flavours of wild strawberries, dark cherries and pips, chinotto, Middle Eastern spices and some poached rhubarb, too. The medium-bodied palate is evenly poised, laden with filigree tannins (lots of them) and energising acidity; oak (25% new) completely integrated. This has depth, some grip, a little amaro bitterness on the finish and, of utmost importance, it will age but it's oh-so pleasing to drink today. (97) JANE FAULKNER, James Halliday's Wine Companion