2023 Collines Chardonnay

1 tonne of certified organic Chardonnay from Lansdowne in Forreston. The late cool season produced perfect numbers with low pH and low sugars but great flavours. Treated the same as all my Chardonnays – hand pick, chilled fruit direct pressed, lightly settled and run to old oak for 100% barrel fermentation and aging on gross lees until racking, in this case 11 months.

Very pale straw in the glass. There is a little light sediment from the lack of handling. Showing the restraint of the vintage the aromatics are dried yellow florals, straw, vanilla and nutmeg spice, and delicate grapefruit and white peach. The palate is dominated by the acidity still which cuts a deep swathe through the texture and flavours bringing energy and minerality to the fore. Lime and lemon dominate the finish. One for the Chablis drinkers.