Clairault Reserve Chardonnay 2023

Blend

100% Chardonnay

Vineyard

77% Bridgeland Vineyard, Karridale 
22% Ironstone Vineyard, Wilyabrup 

Growing

We hand-pick the Gingin clone chardonnay from the Ironstone Vineyard in Wilyabrup first. This site has tightly spaced vines and enjoys cooling sea breezes. Two to three weeks later, we hand-pick the Clone 5 chardonnay from the cooler, southern Bridgeland Vineyard in Karridale. Both sites feature Mungite and Forest Grove soils.

Winemaking Note

Select parcels are hand-picked, chilled overnight and whole bunch pressed with only the purest fraction of juice being transferred to French Oak barriques, un-fined. After fermentation the wines are aged sur lie in barrel for 9 months before barrel selection, blending and bottling.  

Vintage Conditions

Water resources were well replenished over Winter with low enough temperatures to aid dormancy. The growing season began with a cool and relatively dry spring. Summer turned on at the right time with warm even temperatures, setting the scene for gentle and consistent ripening across all varieties. It was another great vintage, with the seasons all playing their part. A lack of Marri blossom this year meant nets covered the region to keep the birds at bay. It was a drawn out vintage, allowing long hang time for our later picking varieties.

Aroma

White pear, grapefruit pith, rock melon and bees wax. 

Palate

Pure, tense and focused. Pear flesh, zest and porcelain-like tannin drive forward a message of serenity and true fruit expression. A lattice of fine French oak, granite and grapefruit pith serve as a platform for an unyielding finish of white flowers, lemon curd and hints of gun-smoke. 

Cellaring

Enjoyed for its freshness now, or cellar up to 8 years for further complexity.

Alcohol

13%