This wine has been carefully blended from two ‘Upper’ Yarra Valley Chardonnay vineyards. The blend is composed of Willowlake and Full Moon Vineyards which reside in the township of Gladysdale, and are separated by around 3km (as the crow flies). Being grown in the cool ‘Upper’ ranges of the Yarra Valley, flavour accumulation is prolonged which also allows for intensity and favourable structural development.  

The 2023 season was somewhat challenging in the growing season with cool and wet conditions through spring and early summer. A mild, but reasonably dry, harvest period allowed us to pick the grapes in optimal conditions, enabling us to create structural and flavoursome wines.   

Each batch was whole bunch pressed and fermented wild in puncheons with considered amounts of new French oak layered in. After fermentation, the batches were allowed to undergo a wild malolactic fermentation and sat on their lees until blending and bottling in January 2024. 

The appearance is straw with green tinges. 

The aroma of this Chardonnay shows intense grapefruit, lime, peach and honeydew notes. Layers of flint, star jasmine, freshly dried straw, and toasted almonds are in accompaniment.  

The palate shows great balance with more citrus bursts of orange sherbet, grapefruit and lime cordial. Oak notes of toasted mustard seed and mahogany are present with savoury tones of aniseed and coriander seed. Fleshy peaches with cream lean into the finish which balances acid, flavour and structure; allowing great length and intensity.   

This wine is drinking very well in its youth and will reward medium-term cellaring up until 2028.