Overview
Original 1979 planting: one or two barrels per year. Always intense in citrus fruits and powerful flavor. Pronounced minerality. Long palate and long-keeping.

BACKGROUND: Original Estate vineyard; 8,500 vines/HA; small plot cropping at approx. one tonne/acre. Subtle but powerful wine with 100% new oak. Improves over an eight to ten year period.

MARKET POSITION: The last few vintages have been snapped up by the wine trade. The reputation of this wine is growing.

CURRENT VINTAGE: 2016, less than 100 dozens produced. 100% new oak: lightly toasted.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES: Gentle entry with melons & nuttiness. Good underlying acidity with beautiful balance: finishes clean & very long. Will continue to develop for six years plus.

INDUSTRY EXPERT:

The ‘Premium’ Chardonnay comes from vines that are now 35 years old and this feature provides the wines with great structure, finesse, length and complexity. In the middle of the palate there is excellent ripeness that is expressed in melon and peach flavours that extend through to a harmonious balance of fruit, fine structure and subtle oak. This is one of a series of Premium Chardonnays that continues the line of the highest quality.

CRITIC'S REVIEWS: Huon Hooke, May 2018: The wine is light and delicious on the palate, with soft, fruity flavour and appealing lightness of touch. Medium persistence and tidy balance, then a clean finish. A fruit-accented style, which is quite delicious and totally different to the Estate wine of the same vintage.

OVERALL RATING: winery: 96.

PRICE PER BOTTLE: $82.00

AVAILABILITY: Limited: less than 100 dozens produced.

CLOSURE: Procork

ALCOHOL: 13.2%

RECOMMENDED RETAIL: $88.00

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