Patrick Sullivan’s Black Sands Chardonnay is his most structured and brooding wine, crafted from a unique volcanic-limestone site near Heywood in western Victoria. Planted in 1990, this rare vineyard sits on shallow black volcanic sand and basalt over deep white limestone, delivering a wine of tension and minerality. Fermented in neutral vessels with no additions apart from a small amount of sulphur at bottling, the winemaking is pure and restrained. The nose shows lemon rind, ripe stone fruit and almond meal, while the palate is powerful yet lifted, with creamy texture, saline chalkiness and fresh acidity. A wine that balances presence with poise—serious, savoury Chardonnay for those who chase minerality.