Aroma
This distinctive Macedon ranges chardonnay bursts from the glass with lime, peach fuzz and white florals. Hints of lees derived nougat, fresh brioche and mineral notes are complexed with toasty oak notes. The perfume is persistent and intriguing, belying the complex and powerful wine beneath.
Appearance
Light straw, green hue and brilliant clarity.
Palate
Grapefruit and tangerine fruits spill immediately onto the palate. The fruit flavours are augmented with wild ferment characters such as brioche and barrel warmth. The palate is very full and luscious, with a line of acid pulling the wine in, whilst adding length. The wine is textured with almond meal like characters added another element. A great example of cold climate Macedon Ranges Chardonnay.
Vinification
Hand harvested fruit was firmly whole bunch pressed to impart some skin contact to release the full flavour profile and impart some phenolic texture. Natural ferment occurred in new (22%) and older French barrels. The wine was left to unwind and age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity. Every barrel was treated as is own entity, with some allowed to go through natural Malolactic fermentation to add further depth. After 11 months the wine was racked and filtered prior to bottling in March 2024.
Vintage Notes
A cool spring in the Macedon Ranges set medium size crops. A cool summer and mild autumn led to a long growing season. The 740 meters above sea level elevation site of Little Hampton has extra cool nights, helping to retain natural acidity in the grapes, being picked in the last few weeks of April. Grapes ripened late in the season with full flavour and phenolic ripeness. Fruit was hand picked in small batches in pristine condition.
Food Matching
Ginger scallop dumpling; Wild mushrooms on toast; Roast chicken.
