Sorrenberg Chardonnay 2022
The Wine
On the 2021
96 Points Mike Bennie - The Wine Front : The 2021 chardonnay from our mates at Sorrenberg is in minute quantity. We missed the 2020 regular release, of course, bushfires and all that. Biodynamics writ large, and the farming excellence continues. As an aside, I’m taking a heap of wines to New Zealand tomorrow for various winemakers I am visiting over the next week; my suitcase is stuffed with Sorrenberg, if that’s a credential.
The wine itself is more full flavoured than many recent releases. It’s supple and soft, perhaps in a way a return to ye olde Sorrenberg, but not missing vitality and vim. It’s succulent and plush at the same time. Scents of ripe lemon, dried apple, nougat and vanilla, a dusting of cinnamon and flinty minerally lift. The palate is more vivacious, concentrated though, preserved lemon, ginger, cloudy apple juice and licks of vanilla, almond, cinnamon again. It’s rollicking and rich yet holds shape and has incredible length. Classic, classy, complex. I couldn’t not drain the bottle. Drink in its youth. Drink 2022 - 2028.
The Details
Variety - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Victoria
Sub Region - Beechworth
Extra - Cork
Year - 2022
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Sorrenberg Vineyard was established in 1984 by Barry and Jan Morey and situated on the outskirts of Beechworth, conveniently near the golf course.
It’s a 3 hectare vineyard at an elevation of 560 meters set mainly on granite rock with a sandy loam. The finesse and elegance of Sorrenberg wines can be attributed to the fact that it is one of the highest vineyards on granite soil in the Beechworth region. The varieties grown included Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Gris and Merlot.
The Moreys have quietly gone about their work over the years and are now considered one of the great small Australian wineries. Biodynamic practices have been employed since 2000, with Demeter certification achieved in 2008.
For the Moreys, the Vineyard and the surrounding environment are all important - all efforts are put into the production of organic and healthy grapes, so the winemaking process does not become the focus. Its the land and its bounty that are the principle aim. Hard to argue against that!
These wines are Australia classics that every wine lover should know about!