The Rising Star of Beechworth Chardonnay: Savaterre's 2023 Frére Cadet

The Rising Star of Beechworth Chardonnay: Savaterre's 2023 Frére Cadet

In the world of fine wine, there are a few people who stand out not just for their craft but for their character. Keppel Smith, the man behind Savaterre Wines, is one of those rare individuals. A true gentleman, a passionate winemaker, and an all-round great guy. He, along with his dedicated team, has built something truly special in Beechworth, and his latest release, the 2023 Frére Cadet Chardonnay, is a testament to that excellence.

Beechworth is rapidly becoming a go-to region for Chardonnay lovers, and for good reason. The rolling hills and unique soils create the perfect environment for producing wines of precision and complexity. Could it challenge Margaret River’s crown as Australia’s top Chardonnay region? Only time will tell. But for those of us in the know, Beechworth is already sitting comfortably at the top of the Chardonnay pyramid.

The 2023 Frére Cadet Chardonnay is nothing short of a masterpiece. From the first sip, you're met with an explosion of grapefruit, white peach, and nectarine, beautifully balanced with ginger and Asian spices. There’s an undeniable struck match and flint character, reminiscent of the finest Burgundian styles, alongside the fresh minerality of wet river pebbles. A glorious creaminess rounds out the palate, giving the wine depth and complexity well beyond what you’d expect from a 'baby sibling' to Savaterre’s estate label.

But don’t let the Frére Cadet’s positioning fool you. This is a wine of incredible length and density, delivering layer upon layer of flavour and structure. It is a serious wine and one that any lover of fine Chardonnay needs to experience.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to both taste and sell this wine. It’s one I hold in the highest regard, and I may just be the only independent retailer with stock available. If you’re keen to get your hands on a bottle BUY NOW from the shop.

I’m fortunate to taste some truly remarkable wines, and when I do, I capture my thoughts like this and add them to our Wine Review section on the website. If there’s something specific you’d like me to review, please reach out – I’m always keen to explore new wines. However, as always, everyone’s palate is different, so what I enjoy might not be what you love. That said, I always provide my honest and unbiased opinion to help guide you.

This section will continue to grow, and we’ll soon be adding an AI-powered wine recommendation tool to help you decide what to buy. Some of the wines I review are available in the shop, while others are simply too rare to stock. But if there’s a bottle you’re really after and it’s not listed, let me know – I’ll see what I can do!

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