Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Chardonnay 2023
Vineyard
Ironstone Vineyard, Wilyabrup
Growing Notes
Gin Gin clone chardonnay, planted in 1985 in tightly spaced rows. The soils are Forest Grove and Mungite and the vineyard is within close proximity of the ocean.
Winemaking Notes
Gingin clone Chardonnay fruit from Wilyabrup is hand-picked, chilled overnight and whole bunch pressed with only the purest fraction of juice being transferred to French Oak barriques. After fermentation the wine is aged sur lie in barrel for 9 months before 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, wet granite, zested limes, lanolin and blood orange.
Palate
A porcelain core of white fruit tannin and gravelly natural acidity drive the palate from start to finish, underpinning and infusion of oyster shell, wet slate, sea spray and lemon leaf throughout. Utterly pure, unctuous and poised.
Cellaring
Enjoyed for its freshness now or cellar for up to 10 years for further complexity.
Alcohol
13.5%
Awards & Reviews
95 Points - Shanteh Wale - The Wine Front
"Fruit is from the Bridge Lane Vineyard in Karridale of Clone 5 and the Ironstone Vineyard in Wilyabrup of gin gin Clone. Candied pineapple, meyer lemons and a hint of papaya skin. There is a cascade of citrus that flows in torrents, striking acidity that creates a succulent palate. This is full of beachside mineral tones too. Salt flakes, oyster shell and kelp. A wine that truly transports you to place, with a thoughtful marriage of ripe fruit, line and salinity. A joy to drink and would be heavenly with fresh oysters, followed by a potato scallop. Drinking well now but has the shape to age another decade in your cellar. "
93 Points - Gabrielle Poy - Cellar Talk
“From the much lauded 2023 Margaret River vintage, this Chardonnay is sprightly and packed with flavour and energy. Lemon curd, vanilla, green apple and nectarine lead into a tense, mineral driven palate with impressive drive and cellaring potential. Good now, with even greater promise ahead.”