
2018 Clairault Cellar Release Barrel Selection White
Blend
31% Chenin Blanc, 23% Chardonnay, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 23% Semillon
Vineyard
Ironstone Vineyard, Wilyabrup
Winemaking Note
Each parcel of fruit for this blend is picked, vinified and handled separately and uniquely in order to express its varietal nature and contribution. The components are all harvested at the coldest part of the day, cold crushed to pressed. The juice is cold settled and racked to old French oak barriques for fermentation. When fermentation was complete, the components were then aged on less with gentle battonage for 7 months before blending and bottling.
Vintage Conditions
After an unseasonable dry early Winter, late rains in August and September came to the rescue. Budburst commenced in early August and continued until late September. Significant rain events persisted through to mid-October, with conditions fining up through the flowering period enabling successful flowering and fruit set. Vine growth was excellent and excess vigour issues were dealt with by employing shoot thinning and vine de-legging practices, in a successful attempt to deter regrowth and crowding of fruit zone areas. Harvest began on the 27th January, in line with the earliest picking dates on record, trailing out until completion on the 13th April.
Aroma
Limes, shaved almonds, peaches and curd.
Palate
Pristine entry of green apple, stone fruit and sublet flavours of cut grass and honey suckle. A soft core of peach acidity and fine texture leads to a creamy finish of merengue and quince.
Cellaring
Up to 8 years, however we enjoy it for freshness now.
Alcohol
12.5%