Nose
Enticing aromatics of creamy nougat oak, with orange citrus, mandarin & sea spray
Palate
The palate has a silky texture & is generously laden with fruit showing orange, citrus flower, lemon peel, grapefruit with a hint of nectarine. Oak structure supports the wine & the interplay between the oak & the acidity balances the wine keeping it fresh. The warmer growing season is reflected in this wine, which has more fruit weight & richness than previous offerings
Growing Conditions
2024 started early, was both dry & warm, yet the whites exceeded expectations with their precision, freshness, & natural acidity. Bird pressure was greatly reduced due to strong & prolonged flowering of the native Marri blossom
Harvest
The fruit was harvested on 1st February 2024 & 6th February 2024 off the certified sustainable Higher Plane vineyard in Karridale. Baumé ranged from 12.2 to 12.8° Bé, & 40% was hand-picked
Bottling
Bottled November 2024
Winemaking
The blend is made from five clones of Chardonnay – Gingin (71%) for stonefruit concentration, purity, freshness & acidity, Clone 95 (19%) which is tight, fine & very intense savoury & mineral notes, Clone 76 (5%) fine, fruit forward, with citrus flavours, Clone 1 (4%) for ripe fruit & fine acidity, Clone 277 (1%) which is savoury & lean. 100% barrel fermented, MLF blocked after primary fermentation had completed. Each barrel was stirred towards the end of fermentation ferment
Aging
9 months in French oak of which 15% was new
Appearance
Pale straw & star bright
Food Pairing
Crispy chicken, chilli & basil stir-fry or cauliflower with olives, preserved lemons & giant couscous