Out front of the TarraWarra property sits a quirky herd of metal sculptures by artist Jeff Thompson, permanently grazing under a stand of trees. From fruit grown to mature Yarra Valley vines, TarraWarra's estate Chardonnay is crafted in much the same way as their flagship Reserve, the addition of a tank fermented component contributes freshness. A beautifully made, golden Chardonnay wine which over delivers, with its clean precise palate, luxuriously leesy barrel ferment characters, textural creaminess and superior length.
Chardonnay clones P58 and Mendoza, I10V1 and I10V3, 76 and 78, are hand picked off vines up to thirty years of age. Parcels, many in the form of whole bunches, are crushed and pressed, with a view to building complexity within the finished wine. Half the juices are run straight to barrel for inoculation by yeast CY3079 in a combination of new and prior use French oaks, the balance is vinified in fermenters, aimed at retaining freshness and vitality to match the length and textural richness of barrel treatments. After a fortnight, batches are filled to a selection of Francois Freres, Mercurey, Sirugue and Seguin Moreau seasoned and new oak barriques and puncheons for ten months lees maturation. Alcohol 12.8%
Ripe pale yellow hue. Grapefruit and lemon zest aromas before underlying notes of cashew. The palate shows a creamy yet fine texture derived from time on lees. A lovely drive with persistence of flavour, elegant complexity and appealing freshness. A wholly integrated palate of ripe fruit restrained by the fine structure, French oak contributes an added dimension, delicately on the finish.
