Chardonnay 2011 - Library Wine

Chardonnay, a progeny of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc is responsible for the finest white Burgundy. When the vineyard site is right, yields not too high, acid not too low, and winemaking skilled, Chardonnay can produce thrilling, savoury, dry, full-bodied wines that will continue to improve in bottle for more than a decade.

We picked our two different Chardonnay clones during the first and second week of April at a tiny low yield of just 600g per vine.

I left the fruit on the skins for an extended time to extract the superb flavours. Then gently pressed and transferred the must in in 500 litre French oak puncheons for a natural (wild yeast) fermentation until there was no sugar left. Its fine lees has been regularly stirred assisting to the wines remarkable silkiness, complexity and depth. The wine had 18 month in the barrel to mature and flourish but will develop into something heavenly with bottle age. No cold stabilization. Unfined and only lightly filtrated to retain all the goodness. Naturally beautiful…

Wonderful floral aromas. Ripe stone- and exotic fruits. This is a wine of rich texture and complexity perfectly balanced by fine acidity and great minerality offering a tantalisingly long finish. This epitome of elegance is one to enjoy now or keep for years to come…

The beauty of Chardonnay-it matches practically everything. I wine to sip and savour...