Bicknell FC Applecross Chardonnay

David Bicknell needs little introduction in Australian wine circles having worked for many years at de Bortoli and now at Oakridge where he was named Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine, Winemaker of the Year in 2017.
Bicknell FC is a family winemaking project of Dave Bicknell and Nicky Harris. The project started with making random wines from interesting sites and, as they've moved through the years, getting their eye in, so to speak, they have settled into the good fortune of leasing one of those interesting sites.

The 2024 Applecross Chardonnay is sourced from St. Andrews in the Yarra Valley. Made with P58 clone fruit that was planted in 1984, it was naturally fermented and matured in French oak puncheons. Aromatically, the wine leads with white peach and ripe lime flesh, green apple, crushed shells and pressed linen. On the palate, it is pure, with gorgeous clarity and precision. There are notes of crushed nuts and almond meal through the finish pepper it with layers of textural grip and complexity. This is a beautiful wine. 13.1% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.   95 Points, drink 2025 - 2039. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate. Published: Sep 19, 2025