Winemaker
Frieda Henskens
Grape/s
70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
GI
Tasmania
Sites
Multi-regional blend across Coal River Valley, Tasman Peninsula, and NW Tasmania
Vintage notes
A cool wet year with delayed versaison and slow ripening saw sparkling harvest commence two weeks later than usual. The result was delicate yet concentrated fruit flavours achieved at lower than normal baumé with lively acidity. Chardonnays and Chardonnay dominant wines from 2011 reward patience, transforming from steely-lean to poised and elegant.
Vineyard notes
All fruit was sourced from mature vines with all vineyards established, from the 1980’s to 1990s. All family-owned and painstakingly tended by hand (with the occasional assistance of guinea fowl for insect pest management).
Winemaking: All fruit was hand-picked. Each individual parcel (four of Chardonnay, two of Pinot Noir) was gently pressed as whole bunches. Juices then cold-settled and carefully racked prior to fermentation in stainless steel. Two of the three chardonnay parcels were blended to a small tank and the third aged in old, small format barrels before undergoing partial malolactic fermentation. At disgorging, the liqueur d’expedition contained small additions of wild barrel-fermented barrel aged Chardonnay (2014 vintage) reserve wine and older tiraged material (2010 vintage).
Six years on lees, disgorged 11 August 2017. 4.5 g/L dosage, TA 8,52 g/L, pH 336.
Closure: Natural cork (Les Fleurs, Portugal designed for wines cellared 12 + years).
ABV: 11.9%
Tasting notes
Striking pale colour. Notably elegant harmonious and fresh with white florals citrus zest and a long dry, savoury mineral finish. Roasted nut characters appearing with age. Even after 10 years the textural rich body gained from time on lees and under cork is perfectly balanced by the clean acid line and freshness.
Serve at 8-10°C on its own, with charcuterie, fresh Tasmanian seafood, charcoal grilled white meats, grilled/roast vegetables (including pumpkin ravioli) or your favourite Tasmanian cheese board.
94 points Halliday Wine Companion
96 points The Wine Front 2020
Production size: 1482 individually numbered bottles.