2015 Stevens Road Chardonnay

Gingin clone. Stevens Road Vineyard. A relatively mild, warm winter resulted in an early budburst to kick-start the growing season. This was followed by some relatively wild spring weather; wet and windy conditions affecting fruit set and resulting in low yields. Beautiful, warm weather returned in the summer resulting in the earliest vintage on record. The fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed. After minimal settling (without the use of any enzymes) the cloudy juice was transferred into select French oak barriques (25% new oak) where it was allowed to undergo wild fermentation. The barrels were lees stirred regularly throughout a nine-month oak maturation period, without any malolactic fermentation. The final blend was a selection of the best barrels. A little muted on the nose. Broad and easy with quite pinched tannins on the end. Falls away a little bit but really improved in the glass. Powerful, long and chewy. (JR)

Pale gold. Ripe melon, tangerine, vanilla and a hint of ginger on the intensely perfumed nose; a subtle hint of leesiness emerges slowly. Juicy and tightly focused on the palate, offering Meyer lemon, honeydew and toasted brioche flavors accented by a smoky nuance. Silky and focused on the impressively long finish, which leaves zesty mineral and iodine notes behind.