2022 Brokenwood Forest Edge Chardonnay

A very attractive colour of pale yellow/green. Stylistically finer and more restrained than the Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay. This wine has lifted grapefruit and ripe white nectarine aromas with complimentary French oak notes. The palate, while complex, has a ‘lightness’ and perfect balance of cashew fruit, oak and citrus. Definitely a wine that will build over the long term.

Whole bunch pressing, wild ferments in new French oak have come together in spectacular fashion. The wine was fermented in 38% new French oak and the balance older, from a variety of cooperages.

The Orange district is widely recognised as one of Australia’s premium cool climate regions. Rob Crawford established the ‘Forest Edge’ Vineyard in 1988. Vintage 2022 is Brokenwood’s 21st year of handling fruit from the Forest Edge Vineyard. A cold and very wet winter with below average temperatures and above average rainfall experienced throughout the growing season. Orange received a record of 300mm rain for the month of November. These factors contributed to the latest season in Orange in many years, with our Chardonnay not being picked until the 14th of April 2022. A welcome return as Brokenwood did not release any Forest Edge wines from 2020 or 2021 due to bushfire smoke and a wet 2021 vintage.