Chardonnay

{Awards Tally}

Gold Medals 1
Silver Medals 5
Bronze Medals 21

{Tasting Notes}

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Barossa Vines Chardonnay

{THE FRUIT}

The fruit for the Grant Burge Barossa Chardonnay is 100% Barossa-grown, harvested from Grant’s own premium vineyards and other selected individual vineyards in the southern Barossa. The 2008/09 growing season saw average rainfalls throughout the year with a warm October and extreme heat just prior to vintage beginning. The warm temperature and lower levels of subsoil moisture saw the crops with lower yields than average; however these vineyards consistently produce wines with exceptional fresh varietal characters.

{THE WINEMAKING}

The fruit was crushed and cold-settled, with a portion whole bunch pressed before starting fermentation. Juice was racked off and yeast added, so the juice could ferment in stainless steel tanks for about eight weeks in individual batches, at low temperatures. 10% of the blend underwent malolactic fermentation on yeast lees and a further 20% was aged on yeast lees for about four months to add complexity and viscosity to the wine. After settling, filtering and stabilising, the wine was then blended and bottled.

{THE COMMENTS}

The 2009 Chardonnay shows bright straw colouring with a tinge of green. The nose is an array of fruit flavours, showing ripe stone fruits, fresh herbaceous tones and subtle florals. The palate is delightful and elegant with flavours following on from the nose- ripe stone fruits, florals and hints of almond kernel. A well rounded mouthfeel, with creamy texture which is in part due to the partial malolactic fermentation; the wine finished with lingering stone fruits and clean acid. The Chardonnay is generous in fruit flavour and therefore suited to fuller flavoured dishes, try baked snapper with steamed asparagus or oven roasted tomatoes with chicken breast.

{THE REVIEWS}