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2021 Streicker Ironstone Block Old Vine Chardonnay

Blend

100% Chardonnay

Vineyard

Ironstone Vineyard, Wilyabrup

Winemaking Notes

The fruit is 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 is barrel fermented in 40% new, 30% 2nd fill and 30% 3rd fill French oak barriques. The barrels are sulphured pre-malolactic fermentation, in order to further preserve fresh fruit aromatics and pure acidity. It is then aged in oak for 9 months and battonaged every two weeks to develop texture and additional palate complexity, after which the wine is removed from barrel, clarified and bottled.

Vintage Conditions

The 2021 vintage began with a mild spring and sufficient rainfall. The La Niña weather system created a strong cyclone season in the north, resulting in unusual conditions throughout summer. December and January were warm and dry by comparison, and February saw large rain events and high humidity. High attention to detail was required in the vineyard to alleviate disease pressure, and those who put the extra work in, reaped the rewards. The 2021 whites have incredible flavour, with sauvignon blanc and early harvested chardonnay a standout. The chardonnay for this wine is always the first fruit of our four vineyards to be picked, with hand-picking this year beginning on the 5 February 2021.

Aroma

Nectarines, freshly cut yellow peach and lime zest dotted with hints of cinnamon, cashews and brioche.

Palate

White stone fruits, grapefruit and creamy French Oak, guided by fine lines of fine tannin and brought to yield by generous and soft textures. A persistent and mineral finish of seas-spray and crushed granite.

Cellaring

Enjoyed for its freshness now or cellar for up to 10 years for further complexity.

Alcohol

13.5%

Accolades

GOLD & 95 Points - Halliday Chardonnay Challenge 2023
91 Points - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2023

In Stock

Wine Specs

Vintage

2021

Varietal

Chardonnay

Vineyard Designation

Ironstone Block

Alcohol %

13.5

Wine Profile

Tasting Notes

Nectarines and jasmine laced with pure natural acidity and fleshy textures of white pear. A finely textured palate of grapefruit and ginger provides focus and line to a dense finish of primary fruits and toasty French oak.

Vineyard Notes

Ironstone Vineyard

Production Notes

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.

Winemaker Notes

The fruit for the Ironstone Chardonnay is hand-picked from the Ironstone Vineyard in the heart of Wilyabrup. The fruit is 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 is barrel fermented in 40% new, 30% 2nd fill and 30% 3rd fill French oak barriques. 66% of the barrels are sulphured pre-malolactic fermentation, in order to further preserve fresh fruit aromatics and pure acidity. The other 33% are allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation, developing both richer, bolder aromatics and textural elements. It is then aged in oak for 9 months and battonaged every two weeks to develop texture and additional palate complexity, after which the wine is removed from barrel, clarified and bottled.