This wine is awesome in every way which also makes it a little sad as we have next to none. 2.6 tonnes was all that was picked and this resulted in two puncheons and one barrique of SV Chardonnay. Even sadder, there is bugger-all – like, none - in 2021 due to a nasty rain event that made us cry. As such don’t waste a second getting stuck in!
The fruit as always is from a single site, the Tassel Park Vineyard in the Treeton sub-region of Margaret River. This tiny 0.37-hectare vineyard is unusual in that it's interplanted with both the classic WA Gin Gin clone and the burgundian 277 clone. The Gin Gin affords great fruit weight and texture while the 277 has great acidity and mineral line. The vineyard faces south and is planted on deep silver-grey sands. The picking date is generally late but this year was an exception due to the exceptionally low crops. The fruit was duly picked in the middle of Chardonnay harvest.
The grapes were handpicked on 9th February; an entire month earlier than 2019. They were whole bunch-pressed directly to barrel, with no settling or fining processes. This juice was then carefully monitored and spontaneous fermentation kicked off on day three after pressing. After a three-week ferment the wine remained unsulphured on gross lees until September of that year. In December the wine was emptied from barrel, settled, filtered and bottled.
It's a unique and spectacular site this one, making unique and spectacular white wines. We love this wine for all its flint, funk and sea breeze dreams while being quite powerful and structured. Chewy and juicy with characters of grilled limes and hopes and dreams. This is a Chardonnay for people that have imagination and a penchant for being epic.