NGERINGA Chardonnay 2009

The fifth release of our Chardonnay and our most exciting yet.  It is a mineral-rich wine with voluptuous fruits, a creamy gentility and a distinctly textural zippy acid structure.  Fleshy peach, honeysuckle & orange blossom, almond Brioche and spice.  Vibrant and clean length.

WINEMAKING NOTES
Despite heat leading up to harvest, vines kept their health and fruit was harvested in beautiful condition with high natural acidity leading us to allow ferments to go through full malolactic fermentation for the first time.  Oxidatatively handled. 12% new oak, aged in barrel for 11 months, bottled shortly there after.  

VINTAGE NOTES
The 2009 growing season started dry with little spring rain.  Early summer rain tried to make amends however that was easily forgotten as the summer months continued with only a few millimetres of natural rainfall.  For Ngeringa luckily we can supplement our requirements with good quality bore water.  Statistically, with small vines and a philosophy of low cropping levels, our water consumption is well below the average.  Unlike 2008 where the spike of intense heat came right at the beginning of harvest, this year it came mid February when the vines were just preparing themselves for their final ripening phase.  Despite heat leading up to harvest the vines kept their health and fruit was harvested in beautiful condition with high natural acidity leading us to allow the chardonnay ferments to go through full malolactic fermentation for the first time.  

BEN THOMAS 8 Mar 11
http://theweeklyreview.com.au/article-display/Loving-March/3655

4 1/2 stars.  A delightful wine - rich, complex, elegant & vibrant - and one I could drink a lot of.  The pleasure starts with complex aromas of white peach, melon, minerals & nuts, before rich flavours of white stone fruits, lemon, slate & a hint of honey fill the mouth.  It has a sumptuous, creamy texture but is light on its feet, with zippy acidity keeping things fresh.  The enjoyment ends with a long, clean finish.

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