James Halliday Wine Companion 2021

92 / 100

Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented on full solids in 25% new and used Louis Latour Burgundy barriques, mix of cultured and wild yeast, 11 months on lees, no malo. A mixed vintage weather-wise with early frosts reducing the crop by 30% but, in the end, the warm, dry finish proved ideal for this fine-edged chardonnay, revealing its inner delicacy. Cut apple, lemon drops and stone fruits with citrus acid bite. The almond bread characters on the palate add a lovely savoury touch.

Wine Details

• Region Coonawarra, South Australia
• Vintage 2018
• Type White Wine
• Variety Chardonnay
• Volume 750ml
• Alcohol Volume 12%
• PH

  3.18

• Acidity

  7.08g/l

• Closure ScrewCap
• Harvest Date

  19th February 2018

• Background

  The Balnaves Coonawarra Vineyard was established in 1975, and is situated at the southern end of the Coonawarra Terra Rossa strip. The family, which has been associated with the district since 1855, remains fully committed to a high level of ‘hands-on’ involvement.

• Vineyard Notes

  Vintage 2018 started with cool and frosty weather, then turned warm and dry. Chardonnay fruit was handpicked early on the 19th February with a baumé of 11.5.

• Winemaking

  Whole bunch pressed juice was barrel fermented on solids in new (25%) and seasoned Louis Latour burgundy barriques, with 50% being wild yeast, 50% AWRI 1375 yeast. Lees contact for eleven months preceded bottling in March 2019. 19 barriques of Chardonnay were produced from the 2018 vintage.

• Tasting Notes

  A balanced mix of stone fruit, citrus to nougat, creamy lees, lemon curd and oak spices.