2024 Dexter Chardonnay

Harvest Analysis

Sugar: 21.7 to 22.5 Brix

pH: 3.13 to 3.36

Acid: 8.7 to 9.0 TA

Harvest date: Last week of February

Clones: P58 (43%), I10V5 (54%), Bernard 96, 277 (3%)

Wine Analysis

Alcohol: 13.2%

pH: 3.14

Acid: 7.6 g/l

Sugar: Dry

Vintage Notes

Moderate temperatures throughout a wet spring and into flowering resulted in healthy The 2024 growing season began with mild temperatures during Spring. However, heavy rainfall from December to February presented challenges, with up to 70mm of rain prior to the critical flowering period reducing berry size. Further rainfall in January meant disease pressure was high. Our site, being located at lower elevation and further north on the peninsula, proved crucial during this time as the Dexter vineyard retained clean, disease-free fruit. Cool temperatures during late summer produced ideal ripening and the grapes retained high levels of natural acidity along with great concentration

Winemaking Notes

Each clone on our single vineyard site was picked separately when they individually Each clone on our single vineyard site was picked separately at optimal ripeness before whole-bunch pressing into separate tanks. Juice was then transferred to 500L French oak puncheons (20% New, 30% second use, 50% older) to undergo fermentation. During maturation, barrels were stirred occasionally depending on their flavour profile. Some barrels went through natural malolactic fermentation. For this vintage, 50% completed MLF. The wine was left on yeast lees until December to develop structure, then transferred to tank to prepare for bottling in early January 2025, 11 months after harvest.

Nose

Intense aromas of freshly cut peaches, white flowers and sea spray, with nougat and river pebbles making an appearance. There is a fresh lift of Thai basil, fennel and wild mint to complement the fruit. An overall complex and intriguing set of aromas.

Palate

Layers of pithy white stone fruit, mint fudge and lime zest glide along the palate. There is a lasting lemon curd and mineral component, consistent with previous vintages from these 38 year old chardonnay vines. It is a very detailed wine, lacey and tightly coiled. The concentration and purity of the fruit grown on grey sandy clay loam soil is evident, especially in 2024. This is a very layered and refreshing chardonnay that can be enjoyed now but will also reward careful cellaring.

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