Swan Valley based Sandalford have beeen making wine for over 150 years, changing their style and vinification throughout the passage of generations in many ways. During the 1970s, they developed a major new vineyard in Margaret River. Now one of the oldest, it is also one the largest, covering six hundred acres, the source of the most exceptional quality in mature vines Chardonnay. Oak barrel ferments, wild yeasts and time spent
sur lies, a west coast Chardonnay of greater complexity for those who like a bigger, richer style.
Chardonnay grapes are harvested from fully mature, dry grown Gingin clone vines. Fruit is crushed and treated to pressing. The exclusively free run juices are transferred to a selection of seasoned and new Burgundy coopered French oak barriques or chilled fermenters. All barrels are individually inoculated with a choice variety of yeast. Consider it as mach iii in the new Sandalford philosophy of Chardonnay making, whereby alcohol is capped, malolactic is forbidden and there's a close eye on oak, achieving a fresher, more modern and appealing style. Components are held on gross lees for eight months prior to assemblage, stabilisation and filtration.
TASTING NOTESPale straw hue. Restrained notes of white stone fruit and hints of vanillin oak. A very clean, crisp Chardonnay, tightly wound, there is warmth from the alcohol, integrating beautifully with the stone fruit and barrel ferment characters of vanillin and freshly roasted nuts. Balancing acidity keeps the whole package in check with a clean and austere finish, ensuring freshness and vitality.