2019 Moonambel Chardonnay

colour

Beautiful light straw colour, highlighted by golden tints.

aroma

Oatmeal, peach and honey; also that ever-elusive character of struck match. A beautiful vanilla spice.

palate

Intensely focused. There is a powerful and defined acidity to highlight the tropical fruit. The subtle Burgundy oak plays a supportive role.

cellaring

Optimum drinking within 5–10 years of vintage.

vintage

Slightly lower yields in 2019 have resulted in more complex and intense fruit. Harvest started early after one of the hottest and driest summers on record, following late spring frosts. The resulting fruit is concentrated with complex flavours and refreshing natural acidity.

winemaking

Fruit was handpicked and whole bunch pressed. The cloudy juice was then racked to a mixure of new and seasoned oak. Fermentation occurred spontaneously before the barrels were topped and the wine matured in place for the next nine months. 25% of barrels underwent malolactic conversion with monthly lees stirring.

region

Pyrenees

variety

Chardonnay

analysis

• Alcohol: 13.0%

Halliday Wine Companion 2022

Hand picked and whole-bunch pressed. Fermented with indigenous yeast, matured for 9 months on gross lees in French oak (30% new). A rich melange awaits, of complex nuttiness, cashew and almond, with nashi pear, preserved lemon and fig. Not shy in the least, it works the palate with precision, finishing with a lanolin-rich texture.

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