Chardonnay 2021

Located in the Yarra Valley, northeast of Melbourne, the Yarra Yering vineyard benefits from a cool climate and mountain influences that promote a slow and balanced ripening of the Chardonnay grapes. The vines are planted in predominantly gravelly and clay-loam soils, which are well-drained and contribute to the wines' finesse and natural tension. The moderate altitude and significant temperature variations preserve acidity, allowing for the production of precise, rich, and elegant white wines, characteristic of this great Australian terroir.

Fruit from the Yarra Valley was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed directly to French oak barrels, with a portion undergoing wild fermentation. Fermentation took place in barrel, followed by maturation in French oak (including a proportion of new oak) on lees to build texture and complexity, with minimal stirring to retain freshness and drive. The wine was then lightly fined and filtered before bottling to preserve purity of fruit and the refined, elegant style typical of Yarra Yering Chardonnay.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus , white peach , and pear , complemented by delicate floral touches and mineral nuances that bring tension and freshness. Toasty and roasted hazelnut accents, imparted by oak aging, structure the wine without overpowering it. The palate presents a chalky and ample texture, carried by a lively and perfectly integrated acidity, with a long, saline, and precise finish that prolongs the flavors and invites pairing with food.

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.