Country: Australia
Region: Orange
Grape: Chardonnay
Year: 2022
ABV: 12.3%
RIKARD, Chardonnay, 2022
Individually fermented parcels selected from four separate vineyards across the region, ranging between 850 to 1000m ASL. Each pick was handpicked and treated gently in winery, with care made to not intervene in the natural winemaking process too much.
Wild yeast ferments, minimal use of sulphur, natural malolactic fermentation, zero use of fining agents or winemaking additives – all these processes were utilised to express the terroir of each site and of the vintage. This Chardonnay was then made from a selection of these different vineyard parcels which was thought best suited the style of the label. Slightly warmer sites, later, riper picks, yellow fruited clones of Chardonnay and components with good phenolic structure.
COLOUR – Pale straw with a green hue.
NOSE – Roasted lemon, Mirabelle plum, white nectarine and a hint of ginger. There’s are lovely shortcrust pastry aroma as well, with sweet caramel oak hints and popcorn.
PALATE – Lovely, complex, well-weighted palate with plenty of interest and layers. Tropical fruits and white peach fill the mid-palate, with lemon curd and hazelnuts interplaying. Texturally, it’s grainy and with good grip which helps hold things together. Oak tannin is supportive only, adding a nice timbery, caramel note. The finish remains light and long – the acid profile zesty throughout.
