Nose
Delicate floral aromas of jasmine and citrus blossom followed by more complex notes from wild yeast and barrel ferment including mineral, flint, smoky oak and cashew. The fruit profile is nectarine, peach and ripe pear.
Palate
The palate showcases those characters that mark a top form Margaret River Chardonnay; poised, tight with mouthwatering acidity, balanced by fleshy stone fruit with complexity and intensity.
Growing Conditions
Good winter rainfall had prepared the vineyard for the season & a dry, warm spring looked like vintage would be early. However, December cooled down & a rain event in January, combined with cooler than usual night-time temperatures, slowed things down. Chardonnay was the stand-out white variety this year
Harvest
Picked in three passes, the first from our Wilyabrup site on 13 February at 11.8° Bé and the subsequent picks from our Karridale vineyard on 18th and 29th February at 11.1° Bé and 11.9° Bé
Winemaking
Whole-bunch pressed to barrel for ‘free range’ yeast fermentation, no juice amelioration
Aging
10 months in French barriques of which 45% were new, with some early lees stirring
Appearance
Pale straw with green flashes
Food Pairing
Seared scallops