IXIA · Chardonnay

Vintage 2020

WINEMAKING

The fruit for this wine was carefully harvested by hand into small lug boxes and then stored overnight at 5˚C in a cold room. The following morning half of the fruit was de-stemmed and crushed. After settling, 25% of the juice was racked into barrel without the addition of any yeast for natural fermentation and the remaining juice inoculated before racking into barrels for alcoholic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation took place naturally in all the barrels and the wine was aged for 10 months in 10% new, 35% 2nd-fill and 55% 3rd-fill French oak barrels with regular bâttonage and stirring of the lees during the maturation period.

TASTING NOTES

IXIA 2020 Chardonnay shows a pale green-gold in colour with a delectable hint of flinty citrus combined with butterscotch on the nose that shows of great restraint of power. The very subtle use of French oak adds enticing vanilla and spice, while the palate expands outwards with a richness and complexity that lasts long into the finish. A wine that is already drinking well now but will also benefit more by gentle ageing.