Chardonnay 2021

Originating from the renowned Yarra Valley, northeast of Melbourne in Victoria, this Chardonnay draws its character from a cool climate marked by strong oceanic influences. The vines are planted in ancient, predominantly clay-loam and gravelly soils, providing natural drainage and moderate yields. This mosaic of terroirs, combined with a hilly landscape and cooler nights, promotes slow ripening of the grapes and preserves naturally high acidity, placing this wine firmly within the tradition of great cool-climate Australian whites.

The Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested and then pressed as whole bunches before light settling. The must is transferred directly into French oak barrels, where alcoholic fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts. Partial malolactic fermentation is permitted in some batches to preserve natural freshness. Aging continues in French oak barrels, with a limited proportion of new oak, and occasional lees stirring before bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of crisp green apple , ripe citrus , and juicy white peach , supported by delicate hints of white flowers and subtle oak with notes of vanilla and toasted hazelnut . Fresher accents of lemon zest and a subtly mineral backbone structure the whole. The palate is precise and taut, with a creamy texture balanced by lively acidity, beautiful concentration, and a long, saline, and elegant finish.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.