The 2024 Hughes & Hughes Lees Aged Chardonnay is a refined single-vineyard Chardonnay sourced from the Brinktop Vineyard in Tasmania's Coal River Valley. Whole-bunch pressed directly to French oak, the wine is naturally fermented and matured for ten months, with 30% new oak and extended lees ageing to build texture and complexity. The nose is vibrant and expressive, offering grapefruit, white peach and green apple layered with brioche, toasted almond and subtle flinty minerality.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a creamy, silky texture balanced by bright natural acidity and impressive mineral freshness. Layers of citrus, stone fruit and gentle oak unfold into a long, precise finish, where lees ageing adds richness without compromising elegance. Sophisticated yet beautifully balanced, this is a classic cool-climate Tasmanian Chardonnay with excellent ageing potential.
Ben’s Recommendation:
The 2024 Hughes & Hughes Lees Aged Chardonnay is an outstanding match for grilled lobster, roast chicken, creamy mushroom risotto, seafood pasta or mature soft cheeses. Enjoy now with a short decant, or cellar confidently through 2034 as its texture and complexity continue to evolve.
