Nose
An expressive nose of great intensity and complexity – notes of grapefruit, white peach, and
lime blossom beautifully balanced by praline and toasty hazelnut nougat supported with
subtle smokey aromas from the finest quality French oak.
Palate
The generous palate is poised and precise with our signature slippery spring water minerality,
the result of another perfect vintage here in Margaret River. Fresh stonefruit flavours
continue highlighted with a delicious white peach brûlée. The finish has a lingering nuttiness
and complexity from the battonage, enhancing the signature length of flavour which shows
great persistence.
Growing Conditions
Extremely strong winds and cool conditions during flowering had a significant effect on fruit
set and therefore on yield across all varieties. The low crop levels along with a warm
December and January resulted in perfect ripening conditions, with harvest beginning mid‐
February which is about average. Little to no rainfall across February and March allowed all
white varieties to develop without any disease pressure which provided white fruit retaining
an abundance of varietal flavour and showing great concentration and intensity.
Winemaking
All the individual vineyards that contribute to the Stella Bella Chardonnay were vinified
separately. Most batches were hand‐picked at between 12.0 to 13.3° Be and cooled
overnight before whole bunch pressing to extract free run juice only. Fermentation occurred
in a combination of new and older Burgundian oak, with a maximum of 30% new oak in each
batch. Fermentation temperature was controlled between 25°C to 26°C and the lees were
stirred regularly from the end of fermentation and throughout the malolactic fermentation.
After 12 months in barrel the wine was blended to tank and held for 6 months prior to fining,
filtration and bottling.
Appearance
Pale straw with lime hues
