2022 Noisy Ritual Tallarook Chardonnay

This is the first time we've had fruit from this vineyard and initially we weren't sure if we'd use this Chardonnay for sparkling wine or still wine. But due to the mild growing season of 2022 the flavour developed really nicely and we were able to pick with a relatively low sugar content (about 12 baumé), preserving the natural acids and flavours at the point of perfect ripeness (before they become too rich and overblown). In fact the fruit had such an amazing balance when it was picked that we knew it would be great as a traditionally made Chardonnay and it did not disappoint! The juice was wild fermented in French oak barriques (about 15% new) and went through wild malolactic fermentation (MLF) in barrels. The full MLF softened the acid and balanced all of the elements we want in Chardonnay; floral aromas, citrus and mineral acid, white peach mid-palate flavours, a hint of roasted hazelnut from the oak and a slightly creamy texture to finish.