
2018 Streicker Blanc de Blancs
Blend
100% Chardonnnay
Vineyard
Bridgeland Vineyard, Karridale
Winemaking Note
The fruit for our sparkling is selected specifically for its acidity and the innate regional fruit characters that pre-dispose it to sparkling winemaking. The fruit is hand-picked, chilled and whole-cluster pressed to retain freshness and cultivate texture and structure. The juice is settled cold and racked after 2 days, harvesting only the lightest and most delicate grape solids to further aid in textural and aromatic development. The juice then undergoes primary alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel, and is sulphured pre-malolactic fermentation, in order to further preserve fresh fruit aromatics and pure acidity. It is then aged on its lees in stainless steel for 5 months and battonaged every two weeks to develop texture and additional palate complexity. The wine is clarified and stabilized, after which a fresh culture of yeast is added. The wine is then bottled under crown-seal and undergoes a second alcoholic fermentation in bottle, after which it is left on lees in bottle for an additional 30 months, providing a perfect balance of freshness and complexity, until disgorgement.
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
White pear, brioche and freshly risen bread dough, dotted with hints of jasmine, cashews and lemon zest.
Palate
Rich flavours of freshly browned brioche, nashi pear and citrus blossoms bristle atop a maelstrom of natural acidity, green plums and a delicate mousse. Fine tendrils of white fruit tannin and drive deliver a mineral finish or wet slate and mother of pearl.
Cellaring
Up to 4 years, however we enjoy it for freshness now.
Alcohol
13.5%