Product Description
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Small Wonder, Landscape, Chardonnay, 2023, Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Australia
Producer Profile
Overstory, the owners of SMALL WONDER, is an Australian company proud to own vineyards in both Margaret River, Western Australia, and the Tamar Valley in Tasmania.
These very different locations offer the opportunity to craft wines with distinct profiles according to the unique terroir of each region. Tasmania is a classically cool climate area, producing wines of fresh acidity, elegance and restraint.
41 degrees South and 50 metres above sea level, on the Western Ridge of the Tamar Valley is where you’ll find Small Wonder. Their 20 hectares of vines were planted in 1998, nestled within native bushland and feeling the influence of both the Tamar River, as well as the cooling winds which whip off the Bass Strait, to the north. This allows their wines to show freshness, detail and vivacity, expressing the remarkable characteristics of Tasmania and importantly – their small place within it.
The estate has already seen a few challenges as they traverse the landscape of this vision and know there will be more hurdles to come. This is just a reminder that the journey is only just beginning.
The Landscape wines are a celebration of Tasmania and its many wonders.
Slightly surreal in nature, each label depicts a different Tasmanian landscape, celebrated in unique ways by the archive characters. Their varied interactions with the land express how each of us enjoys the land in our own way, and how valuable and inherent that connection is.
Viticulture
The wine combines I10V1 and Dijon clones 76 and 95, and from two soils – red chromosols and grey podosols. The Dijon clones are on the lower slopes and unconventionally more lacking in vigour. The reduced vine size leads to lower yields, more sun exposure and earlier ripening. The block often brings softness in acidity because of these traits. The I10V1 clone is a strong block on soils that yields bigger bunches and brings higher acid from the soils and higher elevations.
Winemaking
This wine is a blend of multiple Chardonnay clones from our Tamar Valley vineyard. The grapes were hand-harvested in late March, and gently whole-bunch-pressed to tank. The juice was settled overnight and then racked to 15% new French oak, with the balance to 1-, 2- and 3-year-old barriques. Wines were wild fermented by native yeast, and regularly stirred to enhance texture and palate weight. After 10 months’ maturation in oak, the final blend was racked to tank, lightly filtered, and bottled.
Tasting Note
Vibrant grapefruit-lemon-stonefruit lift with savoury tang, yet pulpy feel. There is volume and power, contained by the neat, sleek profile and a quiet sumptuousness.
Goes well with
Would pair beautifully with simply flavoured, simply prepared foods, such as baked fish or poultry with butter and herbs.
Cellaring
3 – 5 years with careful cellaring.
Don’t take our word for it
“Restrained and poised, the wine shows nectarine, lemon peel, nougat, and oatmeal nuances on the nose, leading to a beautifully rounded palate offering juicy fruit flavours with savoury nuances. Harmonious and well-structured with a lingering, elegant finish. At its best: now to 2033.” – 93 Points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Features
Varieties: Chardonnay 100%
Colour: White
ABV: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Style: Still
Case Size: 12 x 75cl
Country: Tasmania, Australia
Region: Tamar Valley
Vintage: 2023
