2021 Konpira Maru Whitlands Chardonnay
WINEMAKER: Alistair Reed & Sam Cook
REGION: Whitlands, VIC
VARIETAL: Chardonnay
VITICULTURE: Organic
100% Chardonnay from the Celeste vineyard, Whitlands, King Valley, Victoria, planted by the great Dr Jim Hardie. We have been looking after this vineyard for 5 years now and have gradually seen its exciting return to form after some years in the wilderness. Managed organically with only copper and sulphur sprays.
A lovely site to grow Chardonnay, with intensely cold nights but good sunlight hours leading to the development of a traditionally very flavoursome grape... and excellent solar panel ROIs. Basket-pressed post picking and fermented in 3 year old French oak hogsheads (and one cheeky Hungarian) before going into 2 puncheons (500L) - one new French oak and one new Romanian.
Candied lime zest, lemon myrtle, bircher muesli with honey and vanilla. Lively acidity which drives the palate, fresh and vibrant with serious length and complexity. Best enjoyed with smoked trout pâté.
The name Konpira Maru has something to do with a fishing trawler and a heroin syndicate. You'd have to ask Al and Sam about that. What we do know is they're seriously good at making wine. Minimal intervention, maximum care.