SRH is from a distinctive 12 row selection of our oldest Chardonnay vines at Olive Tree Hill vineyard planted in 1976. Named for Bannockburn founder and pioneer in the region, Stuart Reginald Hooper, this vineyard is responsible for some of our finest and most concentrated Chardonnay wines.
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Viticulture
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Winemaking
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Tasting Notes & Reviews
SRH Chardonnay is made from a distinctive 12 row, 2.46 acre vineyard block, at the Olive Tree Hill vineyard. Planted in 1976 to clone P58, these rows are unique from the remainder of the vineyard in part due to being most in contact with and influenced by the site of an ancient seabed in the soil profile. The 12 rows sit in the middle of a north facing slope, and the rows run east-west. Our oldest Chardonnay vines, and always profoundly influenced by the complex soils of clay, limestone and marine sediment.
Handpicked parcels of fruit were whole bunch pressed, settled over night, and racked to barrels for a wild yeast fermentation in French oak hogsheads; approximately 30% was new oak. Malolactic fermentation occurred on 70% of the blend, with the remainder blocked. The wine was left on lees unstirred for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.
The 2022 vintage offers a very typical and excellent expression of SRH. All the richness and intensity one would expect from this site, with a chiselled and energetic feel in the mouth.
95 points. Light-medium yellow with a biscuity/wheat-mealy bouquet, superbly scented and flavoured with a hint of buttery character along with nougat complexities. Latent power. Has a touch of firmness and grip at the end and is nicely balanced and structured. A real food wine. Huon Hooke, therealreview.com.
