Mountadam High Eden Estate Chardonnay 2021 High Eden - 6 Bottles

WINERY INFORMATION

Vineyard

2013 was a warm and dry season at High Eden with low to moderate yields across our mature Chardonnay blocks. The weathered 500 million year old micacceous meta-sandstone bedrock that forms the ridge of Mountadam was once an ancient shorelines and has produced quartz rich, acidic soils with little water holding capacity. Small and regular irrigation was critical through the ripening period of 2013 to maintain the vines in their best condition. Three of the four clonal components of this wine are from the oldest (38years) and highest elevated plantings of the estate at 550m. Only the 29 year old II0V1 component comes from a distinct quartz outcrop planted at 470m.

Winemaking

Hand harvesting was much earlier than normal. It commenced with the II0V1 clone on the 11th of March and finished with our renowned Marble Hill clone, on the 20th of March. The grapes were hand graded at the winery before being gently crushed and the juice settled as separate components. The balance and intensity of fruit flavors was very impressive which lead to the decision to ferment the wine in 70% new French Barriques from the Vosges forest (10% more than normal) with the balance in older oak. The wine has undergone complete malolactic fermentation with our own natural cultured strain. Each Barriques was intermittently stirred through this period with the wine remaining in barrel for a total 10months before racking and blending.

TASTING NOTES

Classic Chardonnay fruit aromas of peach, nectarine and ripe figs. From one of the best Chardonnay producers in the country, this white is a stellar example of Mountadam’s handiwork. Classic Chardonnay fruit aromas of peach, nectarine and ripe figs fuse with oaky spice, grilled cashew, clove and nutmeg, all spinning around a green apple and citrus core. With great depth of flavour and length, this stylish wine has the potential to age for at least 10 years.