Gentle Folk Wine - Village Chardonnay - 2022

If you take in a group of some of the more impressive, younger generation winemakers of Australia and whisper the words ‘avant garde’ alongside ‘the future’ and ‘premium wine’ then Gentle Folk is in that place. Serious uplift in viticulture, considered winemaking (almost an agonising approach) and fine wines that emerge from Gentle Folk. Hats off. If you’re not onto GF, you should be. A clutter of nuttiness, lemon verbena, grapefruit pith and green apple in flavours. Soft and juicy but with this powdery feel and freshness is writ so very large. It feels fancy but also footloose, fun, bright, a depth and interest in tow. Hard to peg down as it’s such a good party but one where everyone is smart and cool and interesting. I love wines like this, marching to their own beat but delivering refreshment factor and a reason to stare into your glass a while. Yes please. 94 Points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front