Winemaker
Frieda Henskens
Grape/s
100% Chardonnay
GI
Tasmania
Site
Single vineyard (Stringybark, West Tamar)
Vintage notes
Overall a warmer than average year with even bud-burst. Some spring frosts however, and in the north of the state, squally, wet and windy conditions around flowering and fruit set dramatically reduced yields.
Vineyard notes
Established in 1994, this 2 ha, E-NE facing vineyard is nestled in the West Tamar foothills near the small township of Winkleigh. It has duplex acid soils, sandy loam topsoils over clay formed from Brown Chromosols.
Winemaking
Envisaged as a pure expression of Chardonnay over time, a single cage (504 bottles) is riddled and released each year over a 3-4-year period. At processing (hand harvested fruit, whole bunch pressing) the free-run/cuvée was separated from the pressing fraction. The current wine was made purely from cuvée.
Primary fermentations were conducted in oak barriques and puncheons. Some were completely spontaneous, conducted by ambient yeast. Other barrels were inoculated with one of two commercial yeast strains. The second ferment (tirage) in the bottle was achieved conventionally with a commercial priss de mousse. Malolactic fermentation (MLF) was blocked by use of low temperature tirage and storage.
Six years on lees (disgorged October 2020), 2 g/L dosage, TA 8.3 g/L, pH 3.03. Vegan-friendly.
Closure: DIAM Sparkling
ABV: 11.83%
Tasting Notes
“A waft of hay, honeysuckle, apple blossom and honeycomb…
On the palate, this Blanc de Blanc is much riper than in previous years but still has a huge capacity to age. The acidity is incredibly refreshing and combined with the apple slices, clover honey, almond brittle, pastry dough, fresh apricots and apple blossom, it is also incredibly toasty and moreish.” Curly Haslam-Coates, The Wine Front
- 94 points The Wine Front
- 95 Points Huon Hooke (GTW)
Production size: In this first release, 477 individually numbered bottles.
