Our 7th release, The 2023 Rocket Chardonnay from the elevated terroir of Lenswood, navigating a cool and measured vintage. Subtle white stone fruit notes orbit alongside hints of candle wax, grilled hazelnuts, and a spark of flint, creating an intriguing, layered nose. On the palate, refreshing citrus cuts through with laser-like precision, steering towards melon and crystalline quince. Full malolactic fermentation and judicious oak integration provide gravity and texture, with a fine pithy edge grounding the wine's structure. This cosmic Chardonnay is poised for lift-off, drinking beautifully in its youth, but destined to evolve and expand with time in the bottle. “The Downer family has been farming around Oakbank since 1939, and the decision to plant vines 60 years later may have been the best move they ever made. This is chardonnay out on the town and dressed to kill. Sleek, sophisticated and sexy. There’s fragrant white peaches and creamed wild honey, a wisp of flinty funk and an electrifying acid line. Give me this ‘Rocket’ over Bezos or Musk any day.” 97 points, Nick Ryan, The Weekend Australian Magazine: The Drinks Issue “Powerful aromas of lemon confit, minerals, oyster shells, chalk and candied lime zest. The plate is medium-bodied with underlying power framed by focused acidity, giving notes of fresh pineapple, green apple skin and grapefruit pith. Exceptionally well balanced and tightly constructed. Drink or hold. Screw cap.” 96 points, Ned Goodwin, jamessuckling.comHalliday wine Companion 2026 95 PointsAn important wine for the region and site, estate grown in Lenswood. 100% mlf and 50% new oak in both French and Hungarian small and large format oak. Texturally brilliant with a chalky, crushed aspirin-like texture, it melds and relents under the brightness of fruit, leaving only a mineral sherbet tingle behind. Lemon and grapefruit, white stone fruits, raw cashew and nougat, too. There is a softness here that begs for pause, so take some time to appreciate its multifaceted nuance and complexity.
