10X Chardonnay 2022

Located on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, the Ten Minutes by Tractor estate stretches across cool, breezy slopes overlooking Port Phillip Bay. The vines benefit from a maritime climate characterized by regular ocean breezes that temper the summer heat and extend the ripening period. The soils are predominantly clay-loam with volcanic influences, offering good drainage and moderate water retention—ideal conditions for expressing the natural finesse and tension of Chardonnay from this southern region.

The grapes for Ten Minutes by Tractor's 10X Chardonnay 2022 are hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, and then fermented in French oak barrels with indigenous yeasts. The wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation, followed by approximately 10 months of aging in barrels (including a proportion of new oak) on fine lees, with limited bâtonnage to preserve freshness, aromatic precision, and the balance between creamy texture and acidic tension characteristic of the house style.

This wine reveals notes of crisp yellow apple , ripe pear , and fresh citrus , complemented by subtle hints of white flowers and a more indulgent register of toasted hazelnut and sweet vanilla from aging. Slightly mineral accents bring tension and precision. On the palate, the texture is chalky and ample , carried by a lively acidity that lengthens the finish, leaving an impression that is at once saline, elegant, and persistent.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.