De Bortoli Estate Chardonnay 2020

REGION
Yarra Valley, Australia

WINEMAKER
Steve Webber

VINEYARD
The Estate Vineyard consists of a series of small plots of mature Chardonnay. Located within a few hundred meters of one another, these plots consistently produce the finest, most detailed wines on the Estate. The oldest vines were planted in 1976 and the youngest plantings in 1994.

SEASON
Cool growing season with timely rainfall, ideal conditions for premium Chardonnay. Picking commenced on the 24th February and finished 6 days later. Cropping quite low at 4 tonnes per hectare.

TASTING NOTES
Pale straw with a green edge. Restrained, citrus florals, brioche and nutty. Fine, minerally and textural flavours with drying phenolics and soft acidity.

WINE STYLE
Dry, textural, light to medium bodied.

WINEMAKING
Grapes are hand picked, whole bunch crushed, pressed and allowed to settle overnight. The turbid juice is then racked to older French oak casks where it undergoes natural fermentation. Lees are stirred in late autumn and then left to rest on lees until late November.

WINE ANALYSIS
Alc/Vol: 12.5% pH: 3.35 TA: 6.4 g/L

CELLARING
Starting to show its pedigree and will continue to develop complexity and interest for 10 years in a good cellar.

FOOD RECOMMENDATION
Pan fried Flat Head fillets.

AWARDS
2018 Sydney International Wine Competition - Gold Medal

REVIEWS
From the morning sun plots at the Dixons Creek property. Similar technique to the other chardonnays in the stable, wild-fermented, lees aged and no new oak. Very much fruitfocused, edging to stone fruit, with superior palate presence and texture to the Villages, a whisker less complexity to A5. Ridiculous value. 92/100 
- David Bicknell, Halliday wine Companion, Aug 2019

Light yellow hue, with a gently nutty toasty bouquet, which is richer and more multi-dimensional on the palate. It retains its reserve and tightness, dryness and delicacy, but also has layers. Traces of honey and lemon curd. A delicious wine, vibrant, refreshing and loaded with entertaining flavour. 92/100

Huon Hooke, The Real Review, Jul 2019
Some lemons and white peaches with a very expressive, peach-fruited palate that has a fresh array of vibrant, tart, yellow orchard fruit. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 92/100
- James Suckling, wine-searcher, Jun 2019