Palate
A bold and exciting bouquet full of fresh Chardonnay; vanilla bean, lemon zest, nougat, minerals, bread dough, figs and stone fruits. Similarly the palate is rich, lively and texture with all these same beautiful elements. From time in fine grain French oak, the wine has acquired a subtle caramel and nutmeal complexity. The bright citrus acidity gives length and adds clarity to this flavour full wine.
Growing Conditions
The first signs of the approaching vintage began with budburst in the early spring of 2014 as the vines shrugged off their winter dormancy. During this formative period of growth, the weather conditions began to shape the vintage to come. In the temperate climes of the south west of Western Australia, the preceding winter provided adequate rainfall for sustained vine growth. As the earth gradually faced more to the sun and spring uncoiled its impulsive nature, a warm, dry summer set the stage for a promising outcome. When verasion began, in late January, the native marri blossom was abundant in the Great Southern yet curiously absent in Margaret River. Another battle to be fought as netting becomes an annual necessity to protect the valuable crop. The middle autumn period, so often spotted with potential cyclonic fallout did produce intermittent and lingering rain from mid to late March, which slowed the red harvest and cooled the season.
Harvest
Each batch is handpicked in the cool of the early morning between 12 to 12.5 degrees Baume. The individual parcels of grapes are cooled over night before hand sorting and whole bunch pressing of the free run juice directly to barrel.
Winemaking
Fermentation occurs naturally in French oak, 30 % new and 70 % once used. Temperature is controlled between 18⁰C to 22 ⁰ C and the lees are stirred in the later stages of fermentation. The separate parcels are matured on lees in barrel for 9 months. A portion of each wine undergoes malolactic during this period. The wine was blended to tank and received minimal fining and filtration before bottling.Applied to this rich collection of vineyards, is the inspiration and skill of our winemaking team that draw upon traditional winemaking.
