2024 Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay

2024 started out well with average rainfall and stable weather patterns, but it was to offer some twists and turns along the way to vintage. It got wetter and warmer through October, producing strong growth in canopies and a little more disease pressure than we like up until flowering. Conditions were kind in the northern Peninsula for fruit set, resulting in good yields that would balance the developing canopies. Cooler weather towards the end of November slowed things down a little and in the leadup to Christmas, we got some unwelcome wet, damp and humid weather. By New Year, just prior to veraison and in the leadup to vintage the vines enjoyed warm, stable, sunny, dry weather. Harvest started relatively early on the 20th of February, and conditions were generally textbook for growing tannins and flavours that would produce wines of intensity, structure and beautiful aromatics.

Hand harvested. Whole bunch pressed. 100% wild yeast fermentation in French oak barrels, 10% being new. Natural malolactic fermentation (80%) in barrel. 9 months in wood on lees with 1 racking prior to bottling. Light fining and filtration

Tasting Note: Palest gold in colour with a nose that is redolent of honeysuckle, ripe white nectarines, lemon zest and a hint of grapefruit. Hints of toasted brioche, shortcrust pastry and clotted cream add richness and sandalwood spice and salty notes bring savoury complexity as the wine opens up in the glass. On the palate the wine is zesty with juicy lemon and grapefruit flavours and acidity, salted green pineapple notes and peach skin phenolics. The finish is long, firm and refreshing. 

Origin: Mornington Peninsula, Australia

Blend: Chardonnay