Evans & Tate Redbrook Estate Chardonnay 2022

VINTAGE NOTES
Our 2022 vintage was set up with excellent winter rainfall received over June, July and August
in 2021 – very close to the long-term average of 556mm. This ensured the soil profile
reached capacity and recharged dams in the vineyard. A mild spring followed with October
having significantly higher rainfall than average and spring being cool and cloudy in general.
Budburst was surprisingly even but late as a result with November flowering also happening
under cool (but drier) conditions with some variability in fruit set and subsequent berry
development as a result (~3 weeks later than typical).
WINEMAKING NOTES
The fruit for this wine is of the Gin Gin clone which is renowned for producing powerful
Chardonnay wines in Margaret River whilst retaining a beautiful acid line. When the decision
was made to pick on 18-Feb 2022, the fruit was selectively hand picked over 2 days with the
fruit then being cooled in a cold room to 8oC before loading the small press with the whole
bunches. The fruit was then gently squeezed and the cool, turbid juice went directly into
French oak barrels for wild fermentation.
The intensity of fruit flavour was matched with 22% of the wine being fermented and
matured in new French oak of which half was puncheon sized (500L) and the other half
barrique (228L) – from the Francois Frere and Truil / Brive Cooperages. The balance was
matched to 1-3yr French oak puncheons. Following wild fermentation, each barrel chilled and
lightly sulfured (no MLF) and was then was stirred and topped fortnightly for 3 months and
then monthly for another 8 months. Each barrel was then tasted to determined what was
selected for inclusion into the final blend. The blend then spent a further 7 months on yeast
lees to achieve the desired texture before being bottled under screw cap.

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