Reserve Chardonnay 2022

Dry Grown Reserve Chardonnay 2022

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Alcohol 13.0 % a/v, Acidity 7.0 g/l, pH 3.19, Residual Sugar 2.1 g/l

TASTING NOTES

Colour: The Reserve Chardonnay is pale straw and vibrant in appearance. .

Aroma: The nose is lifted and complex with noticeable aromas of white peach and tropical fruit in synergy with a wonderful bouquet of new French oak, integrated with touches of honeyed butteryness.

Palate: The palate is a continuation of these characters and combines rich and youthful fruits, reminiscent of fig, lemon rind and melon, balanced with a lively zestiness and overlaid on a rich creamy mid palate, finishing long and fresh.

VINEYARD

Fruit sourced from our 41 year old 12 hectare Dry Grown Vineyard. Our old vines are not irrigated; something quite unusual in these days of mass commercial production. We prefer low-yielding wine crops with small berries. Although it limits our volume, having smaller fruit fosters an intensity of the flavour, with most of the colour and tannin of the grape being concentrated in or near the skin. The characteristically cool climate of the district ensures slow ripening of the grapes, which also allows for the development of rich flavour and quality grape juice. Grown on ancient gravely loams in Mount Barker, in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, an are renowned for excellence in cool climate viticulture. Our old vines are all cane pruned and yield 2 tonne per hectare with small bunch weights which add intensity of character and flavour. Galafrey harvest their grapes from mid March to late April depending on the season.

VINTAGE COMMENTS

Vintage started 2 weeks later than previous years but in some ways like the old days. Leading up to vintage we had a wet winter/ spring but in summer we had some brutal heats waves and beastly eastly winds. The change of season came early and by April things are looking for very autumn with significant rainfalls. With average temperature of 22-14 degrees, we are reminder that this area and this season is all about slow ripening. Vineyard that are well prepared and seasoned winemakers of the area will fare well with long term experience of a wet season.Slow ripen patience and experience is key to 2022 vintage as will be strong winemaking skills to produce reds with depth of tannins. Whites will produce wines with great acidity and excellent for aging. Low alc reds but great colour and skins for flavour will prove popular early. 

WINEMAKING

The dry, cool climate of Mount Barker provide ideal conditions for the chardonnay, which was made with fermentation in new french barrels for 12 months. We endeavour through meticulous viticulture and wine production sympathetic to the vintage conditions to produce a wine that will express varietal characters in tune with its sense of place Winemaking is geared toward producing a wine that is well balanced, lively, well structured and most importantly drinkable.