Out of stock
Gaffy and Neal Merricks North Chardonnay 2021
A true vin de garde and a timely slap in the face for the makers and critics who believe it’s impossible to have chardonnay with both finesse and flavour. Piercing aromas of ruby grapefruit, peach and nectarine knit with a subdued, schisty presence of nutty oak and creamy yeast-derived influences, cinnamon, coriander and ginger. Translucently clear, its vivacious and voluminous, with a explosive flash of fruit that eases down a fine, powdery spine towards a brittle, savoury finish wrapped in mouthwatering acids. Superb shape and style – the new Peninsula benchmark. Becomes more mineral with age.
Vintage
2021
Peak years to drink
2029 - 2033+
Jeremy's score
96 / 100
Seal type
Screw top
Gaffy and Neal The Peninsula (Formerly Merricks North) Chardonnay
Mornington Peninsula
Price Range at Release: $50-$99
Vintage: 2024
Alc %: 13.4
$ Rel: 75
A true vin de garde and a timely slap in the face for the makers and critics who believe it's impossible to have chardonnay with both finesse and flavour. Piercing aromas of ruby grapefruit, peach and nectarine knit with a subdued, schisty presence of nutty oak and creamy yeast-derived influences, cinnamon, coriander and ginger. Translucently clear, its vivacious and voluminous, with a explosive flash of fruit that eases down a fine, powdery spine towards a brittle, savoury finish wrapped in mouthwatering acids. Superb shape and style - the new Peninsula benchmark. Becomes more mineral with age.
Last Date Tasted: 08/05/2025
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Cellar
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Drink Now
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Maybe Too Old
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Vintage
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Score/100
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Score/20
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Year To Drink
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2024
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97 | 19.2 | 2032-2036+  | Buy it
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2023
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98 | 19.5 | 2031-2035+ |
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2022
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97 | 19.2 | 2030-2034+ |
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2021
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96 | 19.0 | 2029-2033+ |
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Winery
Gaffy and Neal
Garry & Neal is the joint venture between Darrin Gaffy of the Red Hill-based Principia winery and Doug Neal, who has learned much of what he knows about chardonnay while completing virtually every vintage at Giaconda. It's a chardonnay-only label, featuring a Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay whose sourcing varies between a number of sites in different Peninsula sub-regions as well as the Merricks North Chardonnay, sourced from a small individual vineyard. Both wines deliver handsomely in a market whose competition is becoming steadily more expensive but less reliable. This is a remarkable small brand, and we're proud to feature it at Oliver's Wines.
Chief Executive(s):
Doug Neal, Darrin Gaffy
Winemaker:
Doug Neal, Darrin Gaffy
Viticulturist:
Darrin Gaffy
Address:
139 Main Road , Red Hill , Victoria 3937 Australia
Principal Wine Region:
Mornington Peninsula
