Growing Conditions
Due to a colder than normal Spring, fruit set was adversely affected. Bunch numbers
were in line with the previous vintage however bunch weights were well down. No
heatwaves were experienced during the ripening period and warm sunshine and cool
nights prevailed for the most part. This, cou
pled with smaller crops resulted in intensely
flavoured and attractive wines. 50ml of rainfall after the white harvest in early March
delayed the picking of the red grapes. This freshened up the red grapes and no
deleterious effects were noticed in quality. Most red grapes were harvested before Easter
and were in excellent condition. All in all, vintage 2015 in Margaret River will be
remembered again for wines of outstanding quality albeit in lesser quantities.
Harvest
Our 5 blocks of mature Chardonnay vines were harvested over 3 days to ensure the
optimal flavor profiles of each block were captured. All fruit was hand harvested in the
cool of dawn, immediately destemmed and pressed and the juice settled in temperature
controlled stainless steel tanks.
Winemaking
Only brand new French oak is used to balance and
enhance the powerful fruit flavors our Chardonnay consistently achieves. Upon
completion of primary fermentation both the wooded and unwooded portions were
allowed to mature
on undisturbed lees for 8 months. Malolactic fermentation and
battonage were avoided to retain the primary fruit qualities and freshness crucial to our
style of Chardonnay. The finished wine has 12 months of bottle maturation in our
underground climate con
trolled cellar ensuring a perfectly integrated, delicious and
complex wine on release which will age graciously for many years to come.
