Growing Conditions
A wet winter in 2018 set the soils up for a great season. Cool ripening all the way up to harvest, meant a longer than average ripening period resulting in greater acid and aromatic retention, and fine textures and tannins.
Bottling
Artus is an artistic translation of our local Gin Gin clone into wine. It is a provocative, complex and textural wine exuding the seductive spirit of “old world” Chardonnay.
Winemaking
97 James Halliday, Top 100 “Whole-bunch pressed, wild-yeast fermented in new (40%) and used French oak. The bouquet is complex with funky (good) aromas, the palate briefly nodding to the bouquet before moving on to a pure stream of fresh citrus and white peach. The balance and aftertaste are special.”
95 Walsh “The smooth operator in the Naturaliste Chardonnay range .... Sophisticated and seductive. Beautiful.”
Aging
40% new 228 L medium toast French oak
Barriques Vosges and Allier for 10 months.
Food Pairing
Roast free range chicken | salmon | smoked butter on sourdough