Description / Reviews
"We dared our new winemaker Boxi to craft the best Chardonnay yet, and we spared no expense to make it happen—investing in the finest oak barrels, twice the usual cost, for a richer, more refined finish. Our Chardonnay fruit was sourced from our Ballandean and Bellevue vineyards, at 800m and 850m above sea level respectively. Some of these vines were planted back in 1985. Our granite soils reflect heat onto the fruit, speeding the ripening during the day, with cool temperatures overnight resulting in a mature, intensely-flavoured Chardonnay." - Ballandean Estate, Winemaker
"Parcels are selected for this reserve wine offering. It is matured in 100% new French oak barrels for 13 months. It's a brilliant mix of fresh, crisp stone fruit and more honey, toasty, slippery richness. The mesh of bright, high-elevation fruit with ably-judged oak maturation and less work delivers a complex wine of intensity and yet vivid freshness. Alongside the more opulent fruit characters, a slip of nougat and almond savouriness and a sizzle of brine-like minerality brings energy to the wine. Complex, intense and very good; drink in vivid youth, but hold some in cellar for honey-buttery softness to follow through." - 95 Points, Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
