This might just change your routine: A 2014 Chardonnay that’s defying time. The 2014 VSB Brunnen Chardy isn’t just a wine—it’s a testament to patience, precision, and the alchemy of cool climate viticulture. Picked up at auction in Australia, this is the first release from Tessa Brown and Jeremy Schmolzer, two names now synonymous with Beechworth’s emerging wine scene. Back in 2014, they were a fledgling operation, harvesting from their own 2012-planted vineyard and the adjacent Brunnen Vineyard. Today, they’re among the region’s most revered producers, and this wine is the reason why.
The Brunnen Vineyard is a postage stamp of a site, perched at high altitude on granite and mudstone. It’s one of Australia’s coolest wine regions, where the climate is so restrained that even the most ambitious growers tread lightly. The 2014 vintage was handled with surgical care: no new oak, minimal intervention, and a focus on letting the terroir sing. Over a decade later, the result is a Chardonnay that’s both pristine and profound. Green gold floods the palate, kissed by curry leaf and makrut lime, while a whisper of mealy oak and phenolic grip adds depth. There’s pithy grapefruit and a splash of wild fennel—traits that hint at the vineyard’s stony, rocky soul.
What makes this wine remarkable isn’t just its pedigree but its evolution. It’s still youthful, yet it’s already showing tertiary layers without losing the vibrant acidity that defined its youth. This is the kind of bottle that rewards long-term cellaring, offering a glimpse into where modern Beechworth wines might head. For collectors, it’s a rare find; for drinkers, it’s a reminder that great wine isn’t about haste—it’s about letting the land do the talking.
Key points: The Brunnen Vineyard’s cool climate demands minimal intervention, the 2014 vintage is a benchmark for Beechworth’s potential, and this Chardonnay’s balance of acidity and terroir makes it a standout.
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Questions & Answers
What makes the 2014 VSB Brunnen Chardy special?
It’s a rare first release from Tessa Brown and Jeremy Schmolzer, showcasing cool climate viticulture and aging potential.
Where is the Brunnen Vineyard located?
Brunnen Vineyard is a small, high-altitude site in Beechworth, on granite and mudstone soils.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
