White Wine - Tough Love, Chardonnay

Chardonnay is the pinnacle of white wines in Margaret River and we love the class, finesse and its suitability to wild fermentation. Blackwood Valley is a diverse region inland of Margaret River and this vineyard is renowned for its powerful Dijon clone chardonnay. We like the Great Southern for its lean tight chardonnay, which adds fruit lift and length to the blend.

We utilize the Gin Gin clone unique to WA and the 4 Dijon clones (seductively named 76,95,96 and 277) imported in the 80’s.

Hand and machine picked, whole bunch pressed where handpicked; whole solids juices and wild ferments; 55% barrel ferment in new (14%) and used puncheons; aged on lees for 8 months in tank and barrel.

The 2021 season started with a wet though good spring producing even berry set and well balanced crops. Regular rain from veraison (softening) and during ripening made the vintage more of a challenge. Chardonnay was picked generally a little earlier with great structural acidity and bright clean stone fruit flavours.

The 2021 Tough Love represents the vintage with great fidelity: finely boned, pristine white nectarine fruit with a touch of grapefruit. The lees work and barrel ferment have added a mealy texture with almond and cashew notes. The oak is well integrated and background but adds nuances of grilled spice and vanilla.

A great allrounder, try with mushroom and blue cheese tart.