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Sentio
Beechworth
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Sentio 2025 King Valley Gamay
(Shelf Price: $47.00)
Offer: $39.00
6-Pack: $210.00
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“I cannot believe we are five weeks out from Christmas. When we opened at the end of January, the very first offer that went out to you, dear readers, was for the newly-released Sentio 2024 wines. Well, here we are in mid-November with the Sentio 2025 wines … !
At the time, I paraphrased Chris Catlow (the winemaker): “I don’t want my Chardonnay to be another Giaconda clone.” Over the course of this year, having looked at every Beechworth benchmark producer, and having explored all of Chris’ wines, I can assure you that Sentio needs no shadow to emerge from. Below are a selection of some of the finest offerings from Beechworth.
I feel that Chris is a winemaker of precision and quiet ambition. Like his counterpart Shaun Crinion’s Dappled, these wines shun the limelight. They speak clearly about their sites and varietals, and are possessed of a wonderful gustatory quality. What I mean by this is that for all their precision, they are never clinical. Simply delicious.
In the context of Beechworth, nearly all of us consider Chardonnay—Giaconda; Gamay—Sorrenberg; etc., and so on … Sentio is now part of this canon.
No comparison needed here.”
— David
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~ please note : discounts are automatically applied at the digital check-out! ~
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I
Sentio 2025 King Valley Gamay
(Shelf Price: $47.00)
Offer: $39.00
6-Pack: $210.00 ($35.00/bottle)
“A stunning pure ruby in the glass, with the barest suggestion of garnet.
There is a vibrant, alluring nose that really says ‘Gamay, but make it Australian.’ Morello cherry; dare I say Griottes? Dried grass, hints of spices, balsam, some red floral aspects, plum, and hints of varietal (and composing) esters behind.
The fresh, brightly acid-led palate follows with deeper pitched flavours, weightier tannins, and fuller presence than the 2024. Longer too. Dark cherry, cherry preserve, then a wave of bright citrus and blood orange, dried grass and fresh bay, finishing simultaneously silken with hints of granite and mineral fading out on the close. Superb.
Better than Sorrenberg? Well, it’s ”
— David
Order here
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II
Sentio 2024 Beechworth Chardonnay
(Shelf Price: $62.00)
Offer: $55.00
“Green and gold in the glass, the Sentio 2024 Chardonnay is powerful and driven on the slightly malic nose. Bottled only three weeks previously, there is fine expression here with green-white fruit, wet granite, and white floral touches. Further aeration brings out hints of lees work manifesting in elegant touches of pressed linen. The palate is focused and powerful, even at this nascent stage. White peach and zesty pink grapefruit take centre stage with support from herbal touches (sage and tarragon) and preserved lemon rind; a killer line of acidity keeps the satiny mouthfeel in check. Very long yet for all the power, very elegant. Damn fine Chardonnay.”
— David
Order here
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III
Sentio 2024 Beechworth Chardonnay ‘Black Springs’
(Shelf Price: $98.00)
Offer: $85.00
“The 2024 Black Springs Chardonnay from Sentio wine opens with faint and consequently elegant, yet detailed, nuances orange rind, crushed citrus leaves, broken shells, and granitic nuances. Initial aeration brings a welcome firmness, boding well for long-term aging prospects. Very mineral, with fruit aromatics weaving a complex pattern beneath. Cold pear tending pear oil/Sovereign Hill Drops, pleasing menthol and herbal nuances. Even more vigorous aeration, coupled forensic focus, reveals nuances of toasted bran. Petrichor dominates with this welcomely aromatically austere wine; like a great Chablis or Puligny. Not flashy. Slightest hint of fully integrated oak, alongside pistachio praline and saline touches.
Flowing, elegant and round; the mid-palate possesses a powerful wave of firm and centring acidity, at its crest a glorious moment of finger lime and Tahitian lime confis. Then shaved granite minerality and powerful phenolics, before softening again and flowing with fruit reasserting dominance before a very fine herbal finish. A masterpiece of textural wine. Structurally beautiful.
White Anjou and Williams pear, their flesh and skins, shaved granite, blanched almonds and pistachios with some nougat. The finish is very long and marked by an interplay of nougat characteristics with fresh mint and fennel, alongside further granite chips, repeating pear skin notes with saltier elements dancing tantalisingly.
Excellent. Easily one of the finest Chardonnays in Australia.”
— David
Order here
(Link)
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Suggested Dozen Order
4 * Sentio 2025 King Valley Gamay
4 * Sentio 2024 Beechworth Chardonnay
4 * Sentio 2024 Beechworth Chardonnay ‘Black Springs’
(Shelf Price: $828.00)
(Offer Price: $716.00)
Special Price: $680.00
~ please order this specially priced dozen by reply email ~
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“Sentio is now a big name on par with the others.”
— Will
If you would like any of the above, would like to come by for a private appointment, or just have some questions — please let us know.