2022 Langmeil Spring Fever Chardonnay

Colour: Brilliant light to medium straw. Aroma: A lifted and inviting bouquet of melon, citrus and tropical fruits with fresh cucumber and a hint of marzipan. Palate: A fresh and fruity palate full of stone fruit and citrus notes with hints of tropical fruit, citrus zest, cream and a touch of minerality on the finish.

A great start to the year with healthy winter rains followed by a mild spring led to optimism about the up-and-coming harvest. However, as so often with farming, Mother Nature had other plans. On 28 October, a 15-minute hailstorm tore a massive strip of devastation through the Barossa, with crop losses of between 30% to 100%. I had to wear ear muffs in the shed to stop my ears from bleeding; it was that loud. After the storm, the remainder of the growing and ripening season was mild to cool, enabling plenty of hang time on the vine for great flavour and colour development. Harvest ran smoothly, starting and finishing later than usual, with our Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon picked in early May. It's another cracking, cooler vintage.