Lake's Folly Chardonnay
LAKE'S FOLLY CHARDONNAY
Chardonnay vines, derived from Penfolds selection material, were first planted at Lake’s Folly in 1969 on alluvial flats. Founder Max Lake envisaged a traditional-method sparkling wine, but when the fruit was first vintaged in 1974 a ‘white Burgundy’ style was made instead.
The 2.7 hectare vineyard block, running in an east-west direction, is cane-pruned and vertical-shoot-positioned. The hand-picked fruit is lightly crushed (to avoid maceration) and drained through a press. Free-run juice is cold-settled and begins fermentation in large stainless steel tanks. It is transferred at around six Baumé to new, one and two-year-old Francois Frères barriques where it completes fermentation and matures for a further eight months.
White peach, stone-fruit aromas, creamy texture, underlying toasty, grilled-nut flavours and long mineral acidity are characteristics of the style. Commonly referred to as ‘Yellow Label’ Chardonnay.
Top Vintages 2011, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1989.