Growing Conditions
Margaret River experienced moderate to high rainfall throughout Winter, followed by a moderate Spring and even Summer temperatures with minimal rainfall, leading to healthy flowering and fruit set and a perfect ripening season. Another challenging year in terms of bird pressure, owing to a lack of marri blossom in surrounding bushland; which was kept under control with well-timed bird netting. Quality was high overall, with whites and reds displaying super-fine structure, impressive elegance and minerality. Crop yields were low, but the fruit performed beautifully, making this a vintage to be valued.
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. Approximately 33% of the barrels were allowed to undergo Malolactic fermentation to aid in softening acidity and to introduce an additional textural component. 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
