Our SRH Chardonnay is from a distinctive 12 row selection of our oldest Chardonnay vines at 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, and the rows sit in the middle of a north facing slope with an east-west row exposition.
Fruit came to the winery in very good condition and was all whole bunch pressed to tank for settling overnight before racking to barrels. Wild yeast fermentation in French oak hogsheads of which 30% was new, followed by partial malolactic fermentation (70%). The wine was blended and bottled in February and rested in bottle until the upcoming release.
A inherently powerful single vineyard expression, driven by a core of fresh citrus acids and stone fruits. Chardonnay from this site is always inflected with a mineral quality and quartz-like energy.
97 points - Medium-depth yellow colour leads into a shyly reserved bouquet which speaks of buttery shortbread, dried citrus peels and butterscotch which is more evident on the palate, where the wine is very intense and even quite powerful, with a long-lasting carry loaded with penetrating lemon/grapefruit flavours. The aftertaste is refreshing and full of energy. A delicious and very impressive chardonnay. Huon Hooke, realreview.com
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