Bindi Quartz Chardonnay 2015 750ml

Rich and medium to full-bodied, with lively acidity and great energy. This is tight, refined, high-quality chardonnay.

From the upper reaches of the 1988-planted Chardonnay blocks, the Quartz is consistently more subdued and dark than the ‘Kostas Rind.’ It’s a controlled, yet incredibly complex wine. The nose picks up on rich spice notes along with mineral and citrus notes. The richness and amplitude on the palate are superb. It is a very lengthy, well-balanced, mouthfilling wine with a lot of texture and intensity. This wine will continue to gain richness and character over its extremely long life!

Bill Dhillon, Michael’s father, founded the Bindi winery in 1988 close to the town of Gisbourne. The term “Bindi” originated from the decorative dot that women in India, the country of Bill Dhillon’s birth, wore on their foreheads. The Dhillons realized that only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir could feasibly ripen on their property due to the region’s chilly environment. Original Vineyard Pinot Noir is the name given to the wine made from the Pinot Noir vines, which were the first to be planted. Original Vineyard Pinot Noir received recognition in Langton’s Classification of Australian Wines in 2005. These wines are easily identified since the vineyard is composed primarily of quartz with a thin covering of volcanic soils.

Stuart Anderson, who planted the Balgownie Vineyard in 1969 and was largely responsible for the area’s renaissance, was Bindi’s first winemaker. Prior to taking over as head winemaker in 1998, Michael Dhillon worked as an assistant. In Europe, Michael worked with vintage wines, honing his trade in places like the Champagne house of Jean Vesselle in Bouzy, Allain Graillot in Croze-Hermitage, and Tenuta di Valgiano in Tuscany. He also worked for Shenadoah Vineyards in Amador County for a while. Bindi is still producing world-class Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from the Macedon Ranges estate owned by the Dhillon family today. Michael Dhillon is one of the best land stewards and makers of soulful, noteworthy wines.