Grown in the 6-acre Robinson vineyard, this Chardonnay comes from 25-year-old vines in black sand over brown sandy loam. The north-facing site's early February harvest and warm microclimate produce a full-bodied, satin-textured wine. Early harvesting and partial malolactic fermentation add a crisp acidity.
This is a powerful, intense Chardonnay with flavors of citrus, stone fruit, fig, spiced oak, flint, and a hint of cider. It has notable acidity and a long finish. The Robinson vineyard is always the first to be harvested at Garagiste, sometimes two weeks before Merricks, demonstrating the impact of aspect on the Peninsula's grape growing. The grapes, from 32-year-old, dry-grown, north-facing vines in grey-black sandy soils over brown sandy loam, were hand-harvested, hand-sorted, and whole-bunch pressed. Natural primary fermentation with high solids occurred in François Frères 500-liter puncheons (25% new). A small portion underwent natural malolactic fermentation, and the wine rested on full gross lees for nine months without stirring before bottling.
Critic Reviews
95 POINTS
Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion
More stone fruit than citrus and a slightly richer palate compared with its Merricks sibling. Still, reined in by fine acidity and restraint in the winemaking. It’s a tip-top Tuerong with some dried fig and white peach, creamy, nutty lees and the merest hint of spicy oak. It feels luscious yet there's nothing overt or overpowering. It’s all classy chardonnay.
93 POINTS
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
Funny thing to say, but this has something of a white strawberry smell, citrus, a little struck match, sea spray and dough, some white flower perfume too. It’s saline with a little kombucha tang, lemon zest, fine powdery grip, and a sports a lively finish of fine length. Savoury and complex. A distinctive style here. A bit edgy, though lovers of salty whites will find much to enjoy here
93 POINTS
Gary Walsh - The Wine Front
CM is in California. MB is in Georgia (the country), and KS is somewhere. So you have me holding the fort for quite some time. Lucky you! The Tuerong site was planted in the late 80s.
Funny thing to say, but this has something of a white strawberry smell, citrus, a little struck match, sea spray and dough, some white flower perfume too. It’s saline with a little kombucha tang, lemon zest, fine powdery grip, and a sports a lively finish of fine length. Savoury and complex. A distinctive style here. A bit edgy, though lovers of salty whites will find much to enjoy here.
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Tasting Notes
Grown in the 6-acre Robinson vineyard, this Chardonnay comes from 25-year-old vines in black sand over brown sandy loam. The north-facing site's early February harvest and warm microclimate produce a full-bodied, satin-textured wine. Early harvesting and partial malolactic fermentation add a crisp acidity.
This is a powerful, intense Chardonnay with flavors of citrus, stone fruit, fig, spiced oak, flint, and a hint of cider. It has notable acidity and a long finish. The Robinson vineyard is always the first to be harvested at Garagiste, sometimes two weeks before Merricks, demonstrating the impact of aspect on the Peninsula's grape growing. The grapes, from 32-year-old, dry-grown, north-facing vines in grey-black sandy soils over brown sandy loam, were hand-harvested, hand-sorted, and whole-bunch pressed. Natural primary fermentation with high solids occurred in François Frères 500-liter puncheons (25% new). A small portion underwent natural malolactic fermentation, and the wine rested on full gross lees for nine months without stirring before bottling.