Church Road One Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

This wine was a barrel selection of a single block of terraces vineyard Chardonnay, taken primarily from the first portion of the free run juice, representing and very low press yield of around 350 litres per ton. The juice from this early portion of the press cycle produces finely textured yet tightly structured wines with great longevity. Hand-harvested and hand sorted, the fruit was gently whole bunch pressed and then filled to French oak barriques without any clarification or additions. Wild primary and malolactic fermentation ensued, and has delivered an extra degree of complexity, and textural interest. 30% new oak was used to aid to further enhance the depth of the wine without dominating the fruit. The wine was matured on full yeast lees in barrel approximately 11 months with only occasional yeast lees stirring. To avoid any unnecessary stripping effect, the wine was unfined and only lightly filtered for clarity prior to bottling.

A full bodied and powerful Chardonnay that still manages to retain good balance and liveliness. This complex wine is built around a core of ripe peach fruit lifted by fresher citrus elements and layered with complexities of roasted hazelnut, toasted brioche and struck flint. The palate is rich, yet finely textured with exceptional textural length and balanced, fresh acidity, finishing with a slate like minerality. Still youthful, with careful cellaring expect this wine to continue to mature gracefully for 6 years or more from vintage date. With age, the wine will develop more complex, savoury nuttiness and will gain breadth and richness on the palate.