Chardonnay
2024
Pale to mid lemon yellow with a green hue. Fruit-focused yet layered with complexity, this cool climate Sauvignon Blanc shows intense green melon, gooseberry, and ripe grapefruit over a backdrop of smoky lees, subtle oak, and hints of flint and mineral talc. The aromatics are abundant and distinctly varietal. On the palate, a soft and silky entry of gentle citrus flavours gives way to more exotic notes of guava and rockmelon. Layers of yeast-derived texture add depth, while supple acidity provides fine persistence and length to the finish.
Carefully handpicked, our Chardonnay grapes undergo whole-bunch pressing to gently extract pristine juice. The juice is settled overnight and then racked into barrels with its solids, enhancing texture and complexity. Fermented in 30% new French oak, the wine benefits from a slow, extended fermentation, deepening its character. A touch of malolactic fermentation introduces a velvety smoothness to the palate. Finally, the wine rests on fine lees for 10 months, building richness and depth, before being racked and bottled to preserve its purity and balance.
95 points, WinePilot, Nicole Bilson, May 2024
95 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Shanteh Wale, August 2024