Chardonnay 2021

Chardonnay, a descendant of Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, is the grape behind the finest white Burgundy. With the right vineyard site, low yield and skilled winemaking, it produces thrilling, full-bodied wines that can improve for over a decade. The 2021 vintage, though one of our smallest, is of exceptional quality. Cooler spring days led to poor fruit set, while a hot, dry summer reduced yields further. This resulted in an early harvest of handpicked grapes with vivid aromas and flavours.

The destemmed and partially crushed (30% whole berries) healthy grapes were left to an extended cold maceration to extract the superb flavours. Then gently pressed directly into used 500 litre French oak puncheons for a natural (wild yeast) alcoholic fermentation with no residual sugar left. The fine lees has been regularly stirred assisting to its remarkable silkiness, complexity and depth. With 18 month in the same barrels to mature and flourish, this Chardonnay will develop into something even more heavenly with bottle age. No cold stabilization. Unfined (vegan) and only lightly filtered to retain all the goodness.

This stately Chardonnay rival stands shoulder to shoulder with its Côte d'Or cousins. Depth and elegance meet purity and refinement in this wine. A silky texture reveals flavours of white peach, yellow apple, and a hint of almonds, all in an immensely concentrated profile. Finely balanced acidity imparts vibrant energy, ensuring the wine will last at least a decade in a proper cellar. The long, concentrated dry finish boasts a lovely minerality. Tasted: 3 July 2024.

The beauty of Chardonnay is its versatility - it matches practically everything. A wine to sip and savour...