Growing Conditions
Good spring
rainfall was followed by a dry January and February (6.5mm total
rainfall) which was ideal for premium grape development. Flavour intensity was
further benefited by the fact that cropping levels were reduced by around 30%
across the region due to storms in
early spring.
Harvest
Our 5 blocks of mature Chardonnay vines were hand-
harvested in the cool of dawn
over 3 days to ensure the optimal flavor profiles of each block were captured. All
fruit was immediately destemmed, pressed and the juice settled in temperature
controlled stai
nless steel tanks.
Winemaking
The juice was inoculated with pure yeast cultures
and once a robust fermentation was underway, the wine was racked to an assortment
of premium Bordeaux and Burgundian oak barriques with a combination of toasting
levels and methods. Only
brand new French oak is used to balance and enhance the
powerful fruit flavours our Chardonnay consistently achieves. Upon completion of
primary fermentation the 100% brand new French oaked wine is allowed to mature
on undisturbed lees for 8 months prior to bottling. Malolactic fermentation and
battonage were avoided to retain the primary fruit qualities and freshness crucial to
our style of Chardonnay. Barrels selected for the Reserve wine displayed an
elegance of fruit and length of palate representative
of the 2013 vintage and
balanced by a backbone of complex oak. Our first Reserve Chardonnay has had 28
months of bottle maturation in our underground climate controlled cellar ensuring a
perfectly integrated, delicious and complex wine on release which will age
graciously for many years to come.
