The Tyrrell family leases the Belford vineyard. It is our northern-most Chardonnay vineyard and was planted in 1991. Being the vineyard that is furthest away from the Brokenback range, it has the most broken-down soil, with a consistency similar to that of talcum powder. The fruit was handpicked on 3 February and then immediately basket pressed. The juice was then cold settled for two days before fermentation began in stainless-steel tanks. The fermenting juice was then transferred to French oak barriques for eight months’ maturation.
Not unlike the Semillon from Belford, the Chardonnay always shows a dense structure and richer fruit profile. The French oak sits well within the structure of the wine and balances out the primary fruit characters and secondary textural elements in the wine. A great example of modern Hunter Valley Chardonnay with great vibrancy and length.
Alcohol – 12.5%
Cellaring – 5-10 years
