Pepper Tree ‘Venus Block’ Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 from the high‑altitude Orange vineyard is an intense, cool‑climate Chardonnay loaded with stone‑fruit flavour and crackling acidity, sitting comfortably in the top tier of the range. This Venus Block Chardonnay 2023 combines barrel‑ferment complexity with real fruit purity and drive.

Expect nectarine, peach and ripe melon with fig and a touch of pineapple, all seductively woven through smoked‑lime salt, struck flint, marcona almond and subtle nougat‑oak notes. The palate is crisp, elegant and tightly coiled, showing concentrated stone fruits and creamy barrel texture carried by vibrant, lemony acidity and a long, mineral, saline finish that screams high‑country Chardonnay.

It is superb with roast chicken, spatchcock, richer fish dishes, scallops, lobster or truffled potato gratin, and will reward at least 5–8 years in the cellar as its fruit, nutty oak and mineral nuances knit together further.