2021 Bindi Quartz Chardonnay

WINEMAKER: Michael Dhillon
REGION: Macedon Ranges, VIC
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

The juice goes to barrel straight from the press tray, with no additions of yeast, nutrients or enzymes. Once the juice is in the barrel a small amount of sulphur is added and then we wait, usually about five days, for the fermentation to begin. The wine spent 10 months on yeast lees in French barrels, of which 25% were new, and was bottled in early March. The 2021 is a classic Quartz Chardonnay. It is complex, poised and vibrant. There are layers of citrus aromas complemented by spice, cream, wet stones and meal. The palate is very fresh and bright with excellent intensity , balance and drive. These wines begin to drink at their best after five years in bottle and for a decade beyond that. Patience required.

At the upper end of the Chardonnay planting, where the quartz incidence in the soil is the greatest the fruit has extra complexity, finesse and intensity. This wine comes exclusively from this soil. This area is approximately half one hectare in size. The characteristics are similar in the Quartz Chardonnay to the Kostas Rind Chardonnay but all aspects are amplified here yet remain in complete harmony. The winemaking is the same for both wines however the Quartz Chardonnay sometimes spends a few months longer in barrel and there is a higher percentage of new wood used, being around 35%. Production varies from 150-250 dozen per vintage.