Hand picked and gently pressed to preserve delicate fruit aromas and achieve elegance and finesse on the palate. Oak maturation of 8 months in French oak.
Season started well with adequate rain and mild weather up until Christmas with some hot spells early in the New Year along with a few minor rain events keeping vineyard staff busy. Veraison commenced in early February 2014 and preceded a long ripening period. White varieties ripened evenly with excellent acid levels. Chardonnay was the standout.
The Orange region of New South Wales is one of Australia's newest premium regions being favoured for its high altitude cool climate. Situated approximately 270 km west of Sydney the topography and soils of the Orange region are dominated by the extinct volcano Mt Canobolas. The present day peak of the mountain is at 1400m and vineyards in the region are planted at elevations as high as 1100m with the lowest elevations in the region being 600m. Soils in the central part of the region are derived from the basaltic lavas of the old volcano, and primarily consist of deep red to brown free draining clay loams.
2017 AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 2016 AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION WEBSITE - 97 -From a single estate block at an altitude of 800m. Barrel-fermented and matured, it has quite beautiful fruit flavour and definition as it flows evenly across the palate fulfilling the promise of the bouquet, and lingering long after it is swallowed; white peach, pink grapefruit and cashew all intermingle. From the top of the Orange quality tree for chardonnay. Drink to 2025.