2008 Sparkling Chardonnay

 "Good wine with plenty of flavour and good balance"     James Halliday 2009

3 Star Bronze Medal: Winestate Magazine October 2009

Review: A handcrafted artisan wine. An outstanding example of an elegantly dry varietal bubbly. Bright and fresh with abundant chardonnay fruit in the grapefruit/nectarine spectrum. Soft, crisp and clean finish. A refreshing taste partner with most foods.

Chardonnay grown at our Winter snow covered vineyards in the Granite Belt was selected and prepared for sparkling by our Master of Wine Peter Scudamore-Smith. Grapes were harvested early in a mild season to preserve the fresh lemon acidity of this wine. The Granite belt - at 920 metres, one of Australia's most exciting cool climate, high altitude viticultural districts, with the same number of heat degree days as the Clare Valley and Cotes du Rhone at 21.5. Beautiful one day, snowing the next!

Whole bunch pressed with only the free run fermented cool, not cold, followed by extended malolactic fermentation on mixed lees.The bubbles were applied by the Charmat method. The style is varietal lemony chardonnay with fullness and a pleasant dry finish.

Winemaker: Peter Scudamore-Smith, Master of Wine, Viticulturalist and International Wine Judge

Variety: Chardonnay

Style: Medium bodied, sparkling, good dryness

Region: Granite Belt

Drink: Now to 2011

Serve: 8-12°c

Wine that loves fresh, smoked or cured salmon, lobster, oysters, shrimp, sushi, white fleshed fish, fish cakes, seafood salad, tuna with cucumber and wasabi, smoked mountain trout rillettes, grilled cheese sandwich, goat cheese, brie, camembert, parmesan cheese, canapes, spring rolls, gentle asian flavours, party fare, brunch fare, chicken, turkey, scrambled eggs with truffle oil, quiche, brioche bread, avocado salad, salad nicoise, pate, fruit based desserts, shortbread - the acidity cuts through the butter.

WINE LOVERS CHOICE AWARDS: 5 Star   "Unbelievably Good" Gold Medal equivalent (Average of last 500 Wine Lovers' ratings.)