2022 Vinework Chardonnay

Chardonnay (100%)

2022

Margaret River

After a long, and relatively cold and wet winter budburst was later than usual, and about a week or two later than last season. There was still some wet, windy spring weather which affected fruit set. Despite the late start to the season, the fantastic WA summer allowed the growing season to catch up with warm, fine weather and a few of very hot periods. Marri trees had a bumper year for blossom, which always bodes well, distracting birds from away from the fruit (at least for the first half of the season while the blossom lasted). There was no significant weather pressure experienced at all early in the vintage, in fact the warm weather meant that the whites were harvested at a frenetic pace in order to preserve natural acidity. Yields were relatively low however the fruit quality was excellent with great flavour intensity. The majority of the Vinework Chardonnay sourced in 2022 was sourced from key growers in the Treeton and Wilyabrup subregions of Northern Margaret River and 15% from the Stevens Road estate vineyard.

Pale straw.

This classic Chardonnay displays aromas of ripe white stone fruits, citrus and glazed pear with subtle yet complexing notes of nougat and roasted nuts.

The palate is medium bodied with primary flavours of nectarine and nashi pear. A salivating grapefruit acidity creates a vibrant minerality and backbone to the palate and a refreshing finish.

12.5%

750ml

3.05

All the fruit for this Vinework Chardonnay was whole bunch pressed and was all barrel fermented in select French oak barriques (12% new oak). Wild fermentation was encouraged on all of the components, in order to introduce more complexity and personality into the wine. All of the individual batches which make up the blend were lees stirred throughout a nine-month oak maturation period, without any malolactic fermentation. The final blend was put together in November 2022.