2023 Glen Garvald Chardonnay

Fruit was hand-picked and hand-sorted prior to whole-bunch pressing. Cloudy juice was racked to oak and concrete vessels for fermentation via a mix of wild and inoculated yeast. Wines matured on lees deposits for 4 months with minimal stirring prior to blending.

This single-vineyard wine represents our first steps in exploring the clonal possibilities for extending and enhancing the future prospects for continued premium Chardonnay production on the Yarra Valley floor in a warming climate. Incorporating a lead from the historic practice of the warm region southern Rhône Valley whereby complementary companion varieties are blended together to provide further structure, harmony and complexity, we have incorporated a small percentage of Grenache Blanc in this first point of our learning curve. The wine walks a measured line between tension and weight, sinew and silk.

Aromas of white nectarine, Makrut leaf, lime marmalade, nashi pear, jasmine bud, pyrethrum daisy, creamed macadamia and marzipan abound. The palate walks a fine line of tautness and relief, featuring grapefruit pith, lemon thyme, nougat and Artemesia, Weighted and moreish tactile phenolics help draw the palate to a long finish. This wine is suitable for vegans.