2017 Vinelea Chardonnay

Winemaker Stuart Smith has produced an excellent follow up to his 2016 vintage. The mantra here is an old traditional style of Chardonnay that’s big on flavour and texture. 2017 was a very small vintage with poor fruit set in the vineyard a result of wet weather during flowering. In order to impart additional textural richness the wine was lees stirred and underwent 100% malolactic fermentation. Barrels were racked at the end of the first year, the wine then returned to barrel for an additional 8 months for aging. 30% new French oak was used.

Bright straw colour with a watery hue. A hedonistic nose releases intense aromatics of ripe peaches, cashew and honeycomb with butterscotch, spicy nougat, bacon fat and toasty oak elements ensuing. Full in body and rich, the palate has an expansive creamy textural like feel with generous flavours of ripe peaches, honeycomb and butterscotch filling the mouth. Very much an old school style of Chardonnay with roasted almond, bacon fat, nougat and spicy cashew characters also evident. Well balanced acidity on the finish with a long, powerful, oily textured aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2-3 years.
Alc. 13.2%