2022 Special Reserve Chardonnay

PRE-RELEASE

The 2022 Reserve Chardonnay will be shipped from the 27th of November.

Rich, creamy, and luscious.

VARIETY  The Australian Chardonnay story began in Mudgee, with local Alf Kurtz growing unidentified Chardonnay cuttings taken from James Busby’s original collection. In the early 1970s, wine from the Kurtz grapes was made and labelled as Australia’s first Chardonnay. Chardonnay goes in and out of fashion, but with multiple plantings on different soil types, altitude and orientation, dating back to the mid ‘70s, our love affair with the King of White Wines is enduring and true. 

WINEMAKING This is my favourite of the Reserve Chardonnays so far - it really hits the mark for texture, flavour and balance. 21/02/23: 3.32T of fruit was hand-picked from 20 year old vines from Block 17 at 12.7Bé. Whole-bunches were crushed with only the free-run juice used to minimise phenolics. Chilled & settled for 3 days then racked into 4 French Oak Hogsheads (big barrels for a lighter touch) - 1 new, the others well seasoned - and stored in a cool room. 1 barrel wild ferment, the other 3 were innoculated with cultured yeast.The barrels were stirred weekly for the first 3 months, then monthly for the 6 months until bottling to distribute the lees and oak contact. Bottled 12/9/22 at 13.94% alc/vol.

IN GLASS Pale gold, green hues.

IN NOSE  Just-ripe pear, lemon, cashew and a lick of white pepper. 

IN MOUTH  Pleasing complexity of flavour (citrus, pear & cashew) and texture, well-integrated, subtle oak. Refreshing and juicy but at the same time creamy. Long and well balanced with good drive. A lovely lingering, clean and fruity lemon-y finish.

DRINK WITH Roast chicken.

CELLAR TO 2032. Note: The 2016 Special Reserve is drinking beautifully now - I would buy enough to drink some now, and hold on to a few for 7+ years to enjoy as they mature. 

ACCLAIM

Not yet released to critics, but a very strong 2 Horse Heads from me.