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. Â 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.
Almost eight years on lees (disgorged 10 March 2022), 2.5 g/L dosage, TA 8.3 g/L, pH 3.03. Vegan-friendly.
Closure: DIAM Sparkling
ABV: 11.83%
Production size: In this second release, 900 individually numbered bottles.
Tasting Notes
Palest green-gold in hue. Clean and fresh as an alpine meadow with aromas of lime blossom, lemon curd, pretty white florals, crunchy green apples and savoury notes of toasted almonds and wet stones. Delicate, with loads of finesse the palate is long, and satisfying with a dry, almost saline finish. A very youthful eight year old!
Accolades
- Gold Medal 2022 Australian Wine ShowÂ
- 96 Points Huon Hooke, The Real Review
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