A. Rodda
Smiths Vineyard Chardonnay
Beechworth, North East, Victoria, Australia
Beechworth is in the foothills of the Victorian Alps and is fast becoming one of the premier districts for Chardonnay in Australia thanks to the burgeoning success of Giaconda (and also Savaterre). The Rodda Smiths Vineyard is a neighbour to these 2 Icons. Aromatics of grapefruit, white flowers and grilled nuts. On the medium bodied palate Peach, citrus and ripe grapefruit of medium plus intensity. Ticks all the boxes. 2021 was an excellent vintage in Beechworth as it was for most of Australia. Excellent wine and good value.
Beechworth is in the foothills of the Victorian Alps and is fast becoming one of the premier districts for Chardonnay in Australia thanks to the burgeoning success of Giaconda (and also Savaterre). The Rodda Smiths Vineyard is a neighbour to these 2 Icons. Aromatics of grapefruit, white flowers and grilled nuts. On the medium bodied palate Peach, citrus and ripe grapefruit of medium plus intensity. Ticks all the boxes. 2021 was an excellent vintage in Beechworth as it was for most of Australia. Excellent wine and good value.
Oct 2nd, 2025Grown in the gravelly soils of Beechworth in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Nearby neighbours would be Giaconda, possibly the best Chardonnay in Australia. This was leaner than ideal but certainly an ideal terroir for cool climate Chardonnay. Good acid and tension but to be critical it lacks a little mid palate fruit. This was the first of 4. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Good value at $35 AUD.
Grown in the gravelly soils of Beechworth in the foothills of the Australian Alps. Nearby neighbours would be Giaconda, possibly the best Chardonnay in Australia. This was leaner than ideal but certainly an ideal terroir for cool climate Chardonnay. Good acid and tension but to be critical it lacks a little mid palate fruit. This was the first of 4. Will be interesting to see how it develops. Good value at $35 AUD.
Nov 15th, 2024
Very clever Aussie Chardonnay
Very clever Aussie Chardonnay
1 person found it helpfulDec 11th, 2013Damn fine Beechworth Chardonnay here. Tension and focus, minerality and balance. Superb stuff
Damn fine Beechworth Chardonnay here. Tension and focus, minerality and balance. Superb stuff
Dec 13th, 2016
Wow bloody good stuff trying it in beechworth camping even better
Wow bloody good stuff trying it in beechworth camping even better
Jan 15th, 2014
Super zingy Chardy from Beechworth with Zero Malo and all neutral oak. Crisp. green apples with a touch of earthy spice.
Super zingy Chardy from Beechworth with Zero Malo and all neutral oak. Crisp. green apples with a touch of earthy spice.
Jul 31st, 2013
Exceptional chardonnay with the latent power of a GC burgundy, but with salinity and tannic grip. Beautiful nose with reductive gunsmoke, apple, and baking spices. The structure is the perfect fit for the intense and powerful flavour bomb: lemon merengue pie, smoke, tangerine, all in perfect balance. The concentration and length are world class. As long as I can remember of ANY wine I have tasted. World class for A$90
Exceptional chardonnay with the latent power of a GC burgundy, but with salinity and tannic grip. Beautiful nose with reductive gunsmoke, apple, and baking spices. The structure is the perfect fit for the intense and powerful flavour bomb: lemon merengue pie, smoke, tangerine, all in perfect balance. The concentration and length are world class. As long as I can remember of ANY wine I have tasted. World class for A$90
Apr 5th, 2026
Excellent Chardonnay, creamy, complex and long
Excellent Chardonnay, creamy, complex and long
Jan 13th, 2019
Needs a little more time to envelop the oak
Needs a little more time to envelop the oak
Oct 30th, 2017