Description
Vineyard:
Block 7 vineyard extends down a hillside, transitioning from an east-facing aspect to a southeast-facing slope. Block 10, the lowest vineyard on the slope, features a north to northwest-facing orientation. This variation in terroir contributes to wines with a refined austerity, pronounced tension, and restrained citrus aromatics, underpinned by a vibrant acidity that forms the backbone of their character. The 2023 Chardonnay production remained consistent with the long-term average. The growing season recorded an average rainfall of 788mm, with 43% (341mm) occurring during the wet season.
However, the vintage presented certain challenges, notably a two-week heatwave in January that accelerated the ripening process.
Winemaking:
The grapes were carefully destemmed and pressed before undergoing settling, facilitated by pectolytic enzymes. After 24 hours, the clarified juice was racked off and transferred to 500l French Oak barrels and amphorae for spontaneous fermentation. Upon the completion of alcoholic fermentation, sulfur dioxide was added to prevent malolactic fermentation, preserving the wine’s freshness and natural acidity. The wine remained on the gross lees, with minimal bâtonnage performed during the first six months to enhance texture without compromising vibrancy. After nine months in barrel, it was blended and transferred to stainless steel tanks for an additional six months of maturation. Prior to bottling, the wine underwent stabilisation and was gently clarified through filtration to ensure purity and balance.
