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Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay
This winery retains its cult status by continually producing wines of poise, class and adhering to strict biodynamic principals. The Bannockburn Chardonnay is at this stage pert and linear, with floral and citrus notes. It will take a little time for this little gem to begin to give up its secrets.
Xanadu Stevens Road Chardonnay
Kumeu River Wines Village Chardonnay
Domaine de la Pousse d'Or Le Cailleret 1er Cru
Clos le Cailleret is renowned for its intense and well-defined minerality. Domaine de la Pousse d'Ors 'Clos le Cailleret comes off a 0.727 ha parcel of the 3.3 ha Clos le Cailleret 1er Cru vineyard in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet. This vineyard is enclosed by a stone wall and has an east/south-east facing slope. Soils in the vineyard are limestone and very stony with good drainage. The vineyard is farmed along organic principles. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted using a new optical sensor. The wine is fermented, undergoes malolactic fermentation and is matured for up to 12 months in 350L barrels of which 50% is new French oak.
Pyramid Valley Vineyards Field of Fire Chardonnay
Domaine Jean Noel Gagnard Clos De La Maltroye Premier Cru
This is an outstanding example of a white Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru. Formerly planted with Pinot Noir, this plot was grubbed up in January 1988, after producing good yields for 45 years, and replanted with Chardonnay in 1990. This change illustrates Chassagne-Montrachet's shift towards white wines dating from the 1980s in the light of the strong worldwide demand for Chardonnay-based wines. Not all the plots in Chassagne Montrachet are suited to this grape variety, however, and every change must be made in conformity with the appellation laws (to ensure quality) and in full respect of the terroir and its uniqueness. Thus, Chardonnay was only planted in this vineyard after careful consideration, producing its first vintage of white wine in 1992.
Oakridge Wines Local Vineyard Series Willowlake Chardonnay
The aspiration of Oakridge LVS -- or Local Vineyard Series -- wines is to be outstanding expressions of single vineyards within the Yarra Valley. Local Vineyard Series wines enable wine lovers to compare and contrast the power of terroir and geography in winemaking. In essence, different grape varieties thrive in different soils, and Yarra Valley terroirs and altitudes vary widely. Oakridges expertise and understanding of the region allows viticulturists and winemakers to match a particular variety with a particular site -- with marvellous results. Almost all LVS wines are cellarworthy. The Willowlake Vineyard is just outside Gladysdale in Victorias Upper Yarra Valley. Planted in 1979 at an elevation 300 metres, the cool-grown Chardonnay here ranks with the regions very best. Add the skills of leading Chardonnay exponent David Bicknell and these hand-picked grapes become wines that express their variety and origin with consummate precision and flair.