The Accomplice Chardonnay

Region
Riverina, Australia
Winemaker
Joel Veenhuizen
Vineyard
Select premium vineyards were chosen for their intense varietal flavour, and picked at their peak.

Season
Good rains during winter and early spring allowed for good fruitfulness and healthy vines at the beginning of the growing season. A cooler than usual ripening period enabled good varietal flavours. Rain during late spring and summer increased the disease pressure but with good viticultural practices and selective harvesting we were able to begin vintage albeit about 2 weeks later than what has become the norm in recent times.

Tasting Note
Pale straw yellow hue. A bouquet of white nectarine and pineapple, as well as underlying vanilla oak, complementing the overall freshness of the wine. Soft and creamy palate, with textural notes as well as concentrated stone fruits. Oak is well integrated, as well as gentle acid, overall tying into a round, generous finish.

Wine Style
A lovely luscious Australian Chardonnay!

Winemaking
A large percentage of juice was handled oxidatively. This develops a richer and riper stone fruit spectrum in the resultant wine. Fermentation on oak allows for quicker and greater integration between the fruit and oak for a harmonious balance. Some parcels are left au naturel to go through malolactic fermentation, further softening the acid profile. The wines are left on light primary and secondary lees to add creaminess and weight.

Wine Analysis
Alc/Vol: 12.55%, pH: 3.30, TA: 6.16 g/L