Chardonnay

Vintage 2020

WINEMAKING

The fruit for this wine was carefully harvested by hand into small lug boxes and then stored overnight at 5˚C in a cold room. The following morning half of the fruit was whole-bunch pressed and the other half de-stemmed and crushed. After settling, 30% of the juice was racked into barrel without the addition of any yeast for natural fermentation and the remaining juice inoculated before racking into barrels for alcoholic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation took place naturally in all the barrels and the wine was aged for 11 months in 35% new, 35% 2nd-fill and 30% 3rd-fill French oak barrels with regular bâttonage and stirring of the lees during the maturation period.

TASTING NOTES

The 2020 Chardonnay is one of our finest vintages yet. Beautiful pale green-gold colour with a delectable hint of flinty citrus combined with rich butterscotch on the nose that shows incredible restraint of power. The subtle use of French oak adds enticing vanilla and spice, while the palate expands outwards with a richness and complexity that lasts long into the finish. The natural acidity gives the mouth a fresh aftertaste and a long finish that is exhilarating and sublimely elegant. A wine that is already drinking well now, but will also benefit by ageing.