Payten & Jones, Valley Vignerons Chardonnay, 2018
Payten & Jones, Valley Vignerons Chardonnay, 2018
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- White Still
- Chardonnay
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2030
Payten & Jones is a small, family-owned winery in the Yarra Valley, known for its minimal-intervention philosophy and dedication to producing wines that reflect the vineyard's natural attributes. Their Valley Vignerons range represents the collaborative spirit of the local wine community.
Fermented in a combination of stainless steel and French oak, the 2018 Chardonnay strikes a perfect balance between freshness and aromatic complexity. Vibrant notes of fresh pear blend seamlessly with delicate floral hints, zesty lime, and lemon, culminating in a refreshing finish with a lingering sherbet twist.
At eight years old, this Chardonnay is showing beautifully developed secondary characters whilst retaining good freshness. The primary fruit has integrated well with the oak and wild fermentation elements, creating that lovely honeycomb richness. Over the next couple of years, expect those grilled nut characters to become more pronounced whilst the citrus backbone continues to provide structure. By 2030, the wine will likely be fully mature with maximum complexity but may start to lose some of its vibrant freshness beyond that point.
What the critics say:
"Wild nose with wet hay, grilled almonds, reductive notes. Textured mid palate and a nice freshness too, rich, honeycomb and grilled nuts with a very long lingering finish. Impressive!"
Food Pairings
In the Yarra Valley, this style of Chardonnay would be paired with the region's exceptional local produce. Think roasted chicken with herbs from the valley's market gardens, or fresh trout from the local streams served with lemon and almonds. The wine's texture and richness make it perfect with creamy mushroom risotto using field mushrooms from the Dandenong Ranges. Local cheesemakers like Yarra Valley Dairy produce soft cheeses that complement the wine's nutty, honeyed characters beautifully.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve lightly chilled at 10-12°C to preserve the freshness whilst allowing the texture and complexity to shine. No need to decant, but do let it warm slightly in the glass to fully appreciate those grilled almond and honeycomb characters. A medium-sized white wine glass will concentrate the aromatics whilst giving the wine room to breathe. This wine benefits from being opened 15-20 minutes before serving.
The Yarra Valley's cool climate and varied soils create ideal conditions for elegant Chardonnay. The region's mix of clay, loam, and volcanic soils provides good drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for slow, even ripening. Cool nights preserve natural acidity whilst warm days develop flavour complexity. This continental climate, moderated by altitude and the valley's orientation, produces Chardonnays with both intensity and finesse.
The Yarra Valley sits about an hour northeast of Melbourne and is widely regarded as Australia's premier cool-climate region. Its continental climate and diverse soils have made it a magnet for quality-focused producers since the 1960s revival. The region excels with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but increasingly shows brilliance across a range of varieties. Unlike the warmer Barossa or Hunter Valley, the Yarra's elevation and climate produce wines of elegance and natural acidity.
The 2018 growing season in the Yarra Valley unfolded with the kind of dramatic plot twists that keep winemakers awake at night and then reward them handsomely. A dry winter gave way to decent spring rains, setting the vines up nicely, but then summer arrived with a vengeance. January's scorching heat had everyone worried, yet the valley's cool-climate credentials held firm, particularly in the upper reaches where the best sites weathered the challenge with remarkable poise.
What emerged was a vintage of real character and surprising finesse given the seasonal drama. The Pinot Noirs show wonderful fruit intensity without the jammy heaviness you might expect from such a warm year, whilst the Chardonnays reveal that beautiful tension between richness and freshness that defines great Yarra Valley whites. We find these wines drinking beautifully now, showing their fruit with confidence whilst still holding plenty in reserve. The top examples will reward cellaring until the early 2030s, but frankly, they're far too delicious to ignore today.
FAQs
What does this Chardonnay taste like?
Wild and characterful with grilled almonds, fresh pear, zesty citrus, and honeycomb richness from eight years of development.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect right now until 2030. It's showing lovely maturity whilst retaining freshness and structure.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Roasted chicken, creamy mushroom dishes, fresh trout with almonds, or soft local cheeses from the Yarra Valley.
How should I serve this Chardonnay?
Lightly chilled at 10-12°C in a medium white wine glass, opened 15-20 minutes before serving to let the aromas develop.
Is this wine worth cellaring further?
Drink within the next few years for maximum enjoyment. It's at a lovely stage now with integrated complexity and good freshness.
What makes Yarra Valley Chardonnay special?
The cool climate and diverse soils create wines with both elegance and intensity, combining fresh acidity with genuine complexity and character.
OUR GROWERS
Payten & Jones
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