Growing Conditions
A wet winter set the soils up nicely to nourish the developing vines, but continued rains and a cooler spring season led to yields being lower than is typical. A cool start to summer, continuing into and throughout the growing season meant very slow and gradual ripening, allowing for better acid retention, preservation of aromatics and overall finer tannin and texture. The whites were harvested 3 to 4 weeks later than normal, with amazing fruit purity and floral notes. Despite mid-season rains, the reds were still able to hang well into April, with a relatively dry finish resulting in ripe but very fine tannin. Low yields mean that the 2019 vintage in Margaret River is one to be treasured, characterised by aromatic, fine wines of exceptional length.
Winemaking
Our Chardonnay fruit was harvested in the early hours of the morning, loaded into the press cold, and gently separated from its skins. The very slightly cloudy juice was cold settled for a day and then racked. Fermentation took place in French Oak barriques, 35% of which were new. The wine was then left to mature in barrel on its lees for 10 months, with bâttonage occurring every 2 weeks. It received a light fining prior to filtration and bottling.
Aging
Museum release available from the winery
