The hallmarks of the 2022 growing season were the coolness and healthy rains of a La Niña season. Those conditions have given this wine great intensity and high extract.There is a pithy quality to the palate, with the trademark acidity balanced by layers of texture. Softness, as well as freshness and nectarine notes that mingle with more crystalline glacé lemon are a reminder of the late season warmth that finished off ripening beautifully.
Another cooler than average season with some influence from La Niña weather patterns. The season was cool to begin with, which meant that a smaller crop formed during fruit set.The summer was mild, warming up towards the end and adding flavour and ripeness to the fresh acidity.
Since purchasing the vineyard in 2012, significant investments have been made to further enhance the site. It had always shown potential for a single site wine and in 2014 a small amount was selected for our first 'Lenswood Vineyard' Chardonnay.
Gently whole bunch pressed, then fermented in 500 litre puncheon, 30% new. Full malo, and 10 months in oak before resting in tank prior to bottling.
Will reward careful cellaring for up to 20 years.
An exceptional vintage for white wines. A lower pH, inherent freshness and phenolic bite, the artillery that delivers the impressive structural latticework necessary for further development. Really classy. Subdued aromas of cinnamon, sesame, quince, ginger and toasted hazelnut, with the barest hint of fruit. Better this way. The mid-weighted palate is pliant, nicely chewy and multilayered. The finish is exceptionally long, although I look forward to tasting again in another six or eight years after things unravel and meld. Stunning chardonnay, aligned with top-tier Chassagne and certainly among the finest tasted in recent memory.
A cascade of yellow grapefruit juice, juiced green apples and lime sorbet. Elderflower and Acacia blossoms. A hint of green coconut and lemongrass. It's full of citrus zest with an almond milk creaminess and roast raw macadamia on the finish. Nutmeg, tahini and baked anzac biscuits. A harmony of high tones and deep base notes that presents a birds eye view of Hills chardonnay. There is real power and weight here but with plenty of fruit tension and enough malo buffering. A joy to drink now and will cellar 5-8 years. I can see this served beside a river of raclette on hot bread.
This wine is a study in elegance. It has fruit, it’s not underdone, but the mouthwatering lilt of flavour running from start to finish is something to behold. It tastes off citrus, bran, stone fruits, crushed fennel, brine and ginger, a sweet-bready-woody character lingering throughout. But the carry of it, the long juicy length, the gradual reveal of florals; it’s beautifully done.
Very light yellow hue; smoky reductive and waxy, wheaty notes rise from the glass, the wine reserved and tautly composed, with a refined and subtle palate that promises to reveal more given time. There are herb, citrus and pear flavours within, oak making its presence known, and the finish is tensioned and long. It demands time and shows a lot of promise.