Product Description
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Clandestine Vineyards, Chardonnay, 2021, Margaret River, Western Australia
Producer Profile
Nick and Trudy Stacy are backed by decades of industry experience and time-earned wisdom, sourcing fruit from some of the most exceptional yet impossible to access vineyards.
Pairing these rare harvests with the perfect winemaker, each hand-picked with the same discretion as the fruit itself. Tied to no one location, GI, or house style, they create extraordinary wines from unplundered fruits that lay beyond the reach of most. These are the Clandestine Vineyards.
With each wine that they craft, every piece of the winemaking puzzle has been carefully considered and deftly executed. However, knowing who, what, where and when is not enough.
With over thirty years in the wine industry, Nick & Trudy have established long term relationships with growers & vignerons within the key regions of Margaret River, Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale. The secret to making these wines lies within relationships that take time and trust to forge, something that simply can’t be bought. The key to these crucial relationships is held by their founders, Nick and Trudy.
They are the mind, the heart and the soul of Clandestine Vineyards. They understand great wine and they know how to unlock it—with a vision for every vintage that runs all the way from vine to glass.
Viticulture
The single-vineyard location known as Knotting Hill in Wilyabrup, Margaret River is owned and cared for by vigneron Michael Gould and planted exclusively to the Gingin clone, known for its higher natural acidity and aromatics. Combined with the proximity to the Indian Ocean, the vineyards and resulting Chardonnay fruit also displays maritime flavours and salinity – similar to Chablis.
Winemaking
This 2021, the second vintage of Clandestine Vineyards Chardonnay follows a more linear style rather than the full, buttery and oaky styles. In other words, the vineyard, the region and the fruit is the star, not the heavy-handed winery technique. Eight-hour maceration time on skins, prior to tank pressing for a light settling, then a portion of the cloudy juice was run to the barrel and the balance to multiple small tank fermentations. Our 25 % new French Mercurey oak barriques (75% 2nd and 3rd use) and ten months maturation in the same oak gives depth and maturity to this wine. No lees stirring or malolactic fermentation, a gentle fining and minimal sulphur on bottling to ensure freshness. Vegan.
Tasting Note
Bright with a light green hue, the bouquet is an enticing mix of flintstone, cashew and citrus, this follows onto the palate with grapefruit intensity and depth of flavour, held in check by tightly wound acidity. The oak plays its part in a supporting role, which allows for a long clean and delicious finish.
Goes well with
This style of Chardonnay pairs well with a variety of flavours; from the ocean to the land – but roast chicken with herbed potatoes and fresh garden salad is the producer’s ‘go-to.’
Cellaring
Will continue to improve with careful cellaring for up to 5 years.
Features
Varieties: Chardonnay 100%
Colour: White
ABV: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Style: Still Wine
Case Size: 12 x 75cl
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Vintage: 2021
