2021 Eagles Rest Chardonnay

Single Vineyard Range

2022 McKelvey Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay       

Vineyard:  McKelvey Vineyard

Region:     Pokolbin, Hunter Valley               

Vine age:  Vines planted in 1998                                                 

Tasting Note

Planted on a western-facing hillside on Deasys Road, Pokolbin, the McKelvey Vineyard was established in 1997/1998 by the viticulturalist and winemaker David Lowe; the property is proudly family-owned and operated, farmed by Peter McKelvey and his son James. The soils on this site are profound; rich red-brown clay loam with underlying chalky limestone, one of the most desirable soils for the growth of quality Chardonnay. The rows here wrap around the contours of the hills and valleys of a magnificent property, with Chardonnay running both NE-SW and NW-SE, balancing the exposure and shading of the fruit across the sunny days of the growing season. The quality vinestock here is also important, with Chardonnay clone I10V5 highly recognised for generating fruit with strong varietal distinction and wine quality.

The 2022 Chardonnay is a silky, sophisticated wine. There is fine frame and finesse, yet complexity grows in aromatic power as it breathes from an initial spark of flint and struck match to reveal cinnamon, ripe peach and autolysis. The palate follows through with ripe pineapple, super-smooth creamy softness and peach-skin crunch. These elements of fruit quality, ferment funk and barrel maturation beckon and entice as a young wine, but even more certainly as a wine that will reward those who cellar it.

Drink: Now - 2030 
257 dozen made.

95 points Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol:  13.6%
pH:          3.24
TA:          7.3        

2023 Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Variety:     100% Chardonnay
Region:     Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  20+ years old

Tasting Notes

A brilliant year for growing and making Chardonnay. There is the full spectrum of yellow and golden fruits on the nose and palate, intertwined with barrel, yeast and struck-match flint character - each layer of character with so much more to give as this wine sits in the glass, breathes and relaxes.

Drink: Now to 2030

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.5%

2021 Hunter Valley Shiraz Viognier

Variety:     Shiraz (95%) | Viognier (5%)
Region:     Hunter Valley
Vine Age:  40+ years old

Tasting Notes

This mild growing season created classically elegant Hunter Valley reds; soft and immediately attractive. The colour carries an intense red-blue with violet hue, the aromas are a melange of black cherry and orange blossom. On the palate the fruit carries blackberry, cola and Turkish delight underpinned by a velvet creaminess and chocolatey roundness - the magic of Shiraz-Viognier co-fermentation.

Drink: Now to 2030

Technical Data

Alcohol 13%

Single Vineyard Range

Ewen Vineyard Chardonnay

Variety:   Chardonnay 100%

Vineyard: Ewen Vineyard

Region:    Broke-Fordwich, Hunter Valley

Tasting Note

Close to the base of the Brokenback range in the Broke Fordwich subregion, this vineyard is sheltered during the growing season rainfall and has well-draining alluvial soils. This drainage and shelter contributes to the consistency of quality fruit from this site, as the proximity to the mountains also shades the fruit from the hot Western afternoon sun during hot days and seasons.

The vineyard was established with highly regarded ‘P58’ clone Chardonnay vines with high quality potential, aided by the fastidious attention to detail and care that the Ewen family put into their vineyard.

This is our most opulent and expressive Chardonnay from our 2022 release whites, with ripe stonefruit characters that we have come to expect from this site. There is the stamp of barrel-ferment with oak spices weaving in around struck-match sulfite aromas, with a flair of slate and brie skin. The palate has a velvet harmony of fruit, oak and lees; characters of pistachio nougat, vanilla cream biscuit and apricot dance onto the finish – each swirl of the glass revealing more of the winemaker's mojo.

Drink Now to 2030

278 dozen made

95points Halliday Wine Companion

Technical Data

Alcohol: 12.2%
pH:         3.36
TA:         7.1