2023 Special Reserve Chardonnay

We've made Reserve Chardonnays since 2016. It's very satisfying that these early wines are now winning gold medals in museum classes, while the later releases win major trophies as current releases. I set out to specifically explore and express Chardonnay's texture with the Reserve wine, in contrast to the Estate range Barrel Fermented Chardonnay which is focused more on freshness and fruit. I love them both, and enjoy their differences, but my favourite is the Reserve every time for its complexity and palate.

Block 17 was hand-picked at 12/5Bé; the first 2,000L of free run juice going to this wine. The juice was settled then racked into 40% new French oak in our dedicated Chardonnay cool room. 25% wild fermentation. A low temperature, slow fermentation was started 11/03/2023 with 30% natural, spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine was bottled after just shy of eight months in barrel on the 02/11/2023 at 13.8% alc/vol.

2030+. These wines begin to hit their best at around 3 years from vintage. The natural acidity and level of fruit suggest this example has a long life ahead of it.