2021 One Acre Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Aromas of fresh herbs and pink grapefruit give an immediate impression of the zesty, mouth-watering palate to come, with hints of freshly baked bread and toasty brioche indicative of time in oak. The palate has an intense mineral drive of wet rock and sea-spray. Considered use of quality oak adds further complexity to the structure and mouthfeel , and contributes a subtle apple pie character providing balance to this steely chardonnay. A concentrated mid-palate with tension, fruit-drive and power.
Vintage
2021 was a goldilocks vintage where everything was just right , and the resulting wines can be consumed young or cellared for a while. A vintage of balance, energy, and flavour.
Vineyard
This Chardonnay comes exclusively from Birdwood block, comprised of 30-year-old vines grown on a steep, south-facing slope at Rising. We hand-picked this block twice in 2021, on the 3rd March and again on the 10th of March; this wine is a blend of the best barrels across those two picks. Planted in 1993 to P58 clone, these vines remain on own roots. The hallmarks of this block are wines with a concentrated mid-palate and an intense mineral drive.
Vinification
Hand picked and whole bunch pressed to French oak (25% new) for indigenous ferment. Minimum sulphur was added in early Spring 2021. Although the wine was left un-sulphured for a few months, it has not been through malo-lactic fermentation. Racked and filtered in March 2022 after 12 months on full lees in oak.