- Tasting Note: Modern Chardonnay with a perfect blend of crisp fruit and integrated oak. Nectarine, green apple, vanilla, and roasted nuts aromas. Creamy start on the palate evolves into stone fruit, white flowers, and a touch of sea spray. Nutty and vanilla notes linger through a long, dry finish. Ideal balance between freshness and complexity.
- Food Matching: Antipasti, Aperitif, Asparagus, chicken and fish.
- Vineyard: Average Winter rainfall followed by a dry, warm Spring ensured that the vines set well, leading to relatively large crop loads. The 2016 Vintage started a few days earlier than ever before due to the dry conditions, but relieving rains arrived in late January/early February, reducing stress for the final stages of ripening. Mild to warm February and March conditions were ideal, slowing sugar accumulation and allowing full flavours to develop. The earlier harvested fruit achieved fruit ripeness at relatively low Baumes due to the rain event. These wines are bright, spicy and vibrant with a lovely long acid and elegance. As vintage progressed the concentration grew and the colour intensified, resulting in more weighty wines without overripe characters.
- Vinification: Small batches of grapes are gently crushed, chilled, and then basket pressed. To add complexity and mouthfeel the wine is fermented and matured in a mixture of French and American oak for seven months.
- Awards and Press News: Roughly two-thirds from McLaren vale, this has bold tropical and stone-fruit aromas, such as papaya, paw paw, melon and peach. The palate offers a boldly fleshy feel with a refreshing thread of acidity and a kick of pink grapefruit that holds the finish bright. Bold, ripe fruit is the key here. The oak is nicely integrated. Drink now. Screw cap. 90/100 Nick Stocks, Jamessuckling.com
- Group: Still Wine
- Color: White
- Primary Grape: Chardonnay
- Region: South Region
- Producer/Brand: D’Arenberg
- Closure: Screw cap
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Vegan: Yes
- Organic: No
- Biodynamic: No
- Acidity (g/L Tartaric): 6.5
- Residual Sugar (g/L): 3.2
- Grapes: Grape Chardonnay 100