2022 Xanadu 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. In summary 2022 will be remembered as an outstanding vintage in Margaret River. The 2022 Xanadu Chardonnay is predominantly Estate grown in the Wallcliffe sub-region, with 90% of the blend being made with fruit sourced from our Stevens Road and Boodjidup vineyards. The remaining fruit was sourced from mature vineyards in Wilyabrup (5%) and Treeton (5%).

Pale straw.

This intense, pure and aromatic Chardonnay displays aromas of fresh nashi pear, white stone fruits, citrus zest with underlying hints of oyster shell and a subtle saline minerality. Intertwined and balanced oak sits in the background bringing complexing nougat and nutty notes.

The palate is medium-full bodied with white fleshed stone fruits and pears flowing through. A bright natural acidity from the Gingin clone is ever present displaying fresh citrus juice and kaffir lime, giving a beautiful mouthwatering freshness. The powerful fruit is balanced by a backbone of ripe phenolics which gives the wine generosity, poise and persistence.

A contemporary Chardonnay, displaying classic Margaret River hallmarks. The 2022 Xanadu is a wine with great fruit intensity, while drinking well in its youth will certainly reward with careful cellaring. comfortably cellar for several years.

12.5%

750ml

3.08

Made entirely from Gingin clone, the fruit was whole bunch pressed and was all barrel fermented in select French oak barriques (25% 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.