My 2020 "Charlotte" Chardonnay was loved by many; a balance of bright fruit, fresh acidity and new French oak. Sadly, the southern Heathcote vines that produced that fruit were pulled out in the winter of 2020 so I could no longer make that wine.
This wine pays homage to its predecessor. It's textural and full bodied, with subtle new oak undertones and a lingering finish. It's richer and more traditional than it's "Sur Lie" sister, but still carries similar fruit characters.
Handpicked on 17 March 2024, the whole bunches were pressed to French barriques for ferment. The ferment lasted just over 3 weeks. Partial (30%) malolactive fermentation was allowed in the wine, to enhance roundness and secondary notes. Aged for 9 months in French barriques, 30% of which was new French (Vicard) oak. The wine was not filtered or fined at bottling in mid-December 2024.
Region: Bendigo
Sub-region: Faraday
Vineyard: Dash Farms
This Faraday vineyard is in the southern, cool pocket of the Bendigo Region. A south-easterly facing slope at the foothills of Mt Alexander, at an altitude of 600m, this vineyard was planted 1999. The soil is loam, with weathered granitic sands and rock, which make an inimitable site for Riesling and Chardonnay plantings.
Harvest: 17 March 2024
Aged: French barriques, 30% new oak, 9 months
Bottled: late December 2024
Bottles: 1,668
Closure: Diam
Palate: This wine is smooth, textural and full bodied. The new oak is present, buttery and toasted, although it is in balance with the fruit and acidity of the wine. Apple and citrus curd.
