VINTAGE - 2023
VARIETY - 100% Chardonnay
REGION - Adelaide Hills

Vineyard

The fruit for this wine was grown at the Hill Smith Vineyard at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. The east-facing site sits at an elevation of approximately 400 metres and is underpinned by a complex mix of alluvial loam, limestone, shale, and quartz soils. The 2023 growing season delivered near-perfect conditions, resulting in a truly exceptional vintage for this distinctive site.

Winemaking

Our philosophy was to honour the vineyard and allow the fruit to speak for itself, rather than shaping it into a preconceived style. Grapes were hand-picked and whole bunch pressed, with the juice transferred straight from the press to French oak puncheons for wild fermentation on full solids. Post ferment, the barrels were topped, no malolactic fermentation was carried out and lees stirred for 9 months to enhance texture, depth, and complexity prior to blending and bottling.

The Wine

Pale straw in colour, this wine opens with lifted aromas of white peach, quince, lemon, and grapefruit, complemented by subtle hints of vanilla and oak spice. The palate is refined and elegant offering flavours of white peach and citrus zest balanced by creamy lees texture, fine acidity and smoky, nutty oak complexity. The finish is crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced.

“Lots to sink one's teeth into here.” 
— Halliday Wine Companion