2017 was a cooler and later vintage than the previous 10 years; a year of
elegant, perhaps even slightly lighter bodied wines, though ripe in flavour,
vibrant and very perfumed. Higher than average yields in combination
with a cooler season contributed to delayed ripening of the fruit and
good acid retention. With the cooler weather, canopy management and
fruit thinning was imperative in delivering clean fruit of a high quality.
Chardonnay is the first variety harvested each year, in 2017 we picked in
late February.
2017
Flametree Chardonnay
The palate is textured yet fine, then finishes dry and savoury, a direct result of wild ferments with turbid juices.
$29.00 /750ml
| VARIETAL | 100% Margaret River Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| APPELLATION | Flametree Chardonnay |
| VINTAGE | 2017 |
| ALCOHOL | 13.3% |
| VOLUME | 750 mL |
| ACIDITY | |
| PH | |
| AWARDS | Bronze – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2018, Bronze – Wine Show of WA 2018 |
2017 Vintage
Vineyards
The 2017 Chardonnay is a blend of three vineyards, two from the
Wallcliffe sub-region and one from Wilyabrup, north of the township of
Margaret River. The two Wallcliffe parcels come from vineyards that were
planted from cuttings off the famous Leeuwin Estate block 20 vineyard,
this represents about 80% of the blend. The third vineyard in Wilyabrup is
planted from the highly acclaimed Gin Gin clone and represents 20% of
the overall blend. Half the fruit was hand picked whilst the other half was
machine harvested.
Winemaking
A mixture of clean and turbid juices were wild fermented in French oak
puncheons and barriques using only free run juice. Ferment temperatures
were around 18-22 degrees to promote and retain more primary fruit
flavours. 20% of the wine was fermented in new oak, with the remainder
second and third use French oak. This year we put 18% of the total blend
through MLF and stirred the lees every month. We whole berry fermented
5%, this small batch provides a nice savoury complexity and lift. The 2017
Chardonnay spent 9 months in barrel.
Tasting Notes
2017 was the first year we’ve not added any pressings into the final blend,
this gives great purity and line whilst providing less grip on the back
palate. Citrus oil, floral notes and grapefruit aromas are well supported
by subtle French oak. The palate is textured yet fine, then finishes dry and
savoury, a direct result of wild ferments with turbid juices. Drink as a
young wine or cellar in the medium term.
