2022 Dash Farms Leanganook Chardonnay

“Well, here’s a very beautiful wine. It’s floral, saline, spicy, green olive and white peach, fennel, lime and mandarin. It’s fine, flinty and lightly chalky, nutty and slightly sake-like too, and it delivers flavour with such finesse and grace. It’s pure and long, and just a flat out wonderful thing to drink. Bright and beautifully made. That lick of salinity on the finish is so mouth-watering and inviting. Yes.” 95 Pts - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

Vineyard 

I Clone planted in 1999, N/S Orientation on Harcourt granite-derived colluvium (quartz and feldspar sand, fine to medium grain). These rows straddle 477m amsl. Farmed by David Braybrook.

The fabulously temperate 2022 vintage was not the easiest for grape farmers across the state. The cold and wet growing season, coupled with late-season rain, made for difficult choices throughout. The yields were significantly down across Harcourt Valley and Faraday. The scarce Chardonnay at Dash Farms remained clean until late into the season, developing beautiful flavors with gorgeous perfume and pleasing, elevated acidity.

In the cellar 

The fruit was harvested on March 21st, very gently whole bunch pressed and settled overnight. Fermentation and further 12 months élevage took place in lightly seasoned Slovenian demi-muid, as well as older French puncheon and barrique. A further eight months élevage in stainless, with some lees remaining in contact. Bottled late October 2023.