1999 Andrew Garrett Chardonnay

Notes sourced from Southern Cross Wines.

Andrew Garrett Wines is based in South Australia's McLaren Vale. Winemaker Charles Hargrave sources fruit from a number of regions, including McLaren Vale and Padthaway, to produce a diverse range of premium wines. The Andrew Garrett philosophy of producing quality, individual wines, has earned the winery a reputation for innovation and excellence in wine making.Fruit was selected from vineyards in McLaren Vale (65%) and Padthaway (35%) known to produce grapes that provide the ripe, full flavoured Chardonnay characters preferred by the winemaker. Winemaker Charles Hargrave's decision to blend wine from these two regions has produced a classic Australian Chardonnay - rich fruit characters balanced with elegant oak. The warmer McLaren Vale region provides the fuller, richer flavours, whereas the cooler Padthaway region gives more elegant, varietal characters.After crushing, around 40% of the wine was fermented in the barrel, then given up to 6 months maturation in new and seasoned French and American oak hogsheads. 20% of the wine underwent malo-lactic fermentation and was aged on lees for six months before an earth filtration and bottling in October 1999. Lees stirring was utilised to enhance the creamy texture.Tasting notes: This is a rich and complex wine. The colour is mid to deep straw showing youthful green hints. The bouquet offers tropical aromas, with peach and melon supported by a touch of spicy, cedary oak. The palate is dry, full-bodied, rich and complex with a creamy texture and varietal Chardonnay flavours. The finish is long, with an excellent balance of all characters in harmony. Drink now or cellar up to 4 years. 12.9% alcohol volume.