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2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay

A selection of the most unique and striking vineyard plots, recognised for its innovative winemaking, al dente ripeness and distinguishing ‘Heytesbury’ character.

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A selection of magnums are also available, click the link below for more.

2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay Magnum

 

Tasting Notes
COLOUR Bright pale straw with a slight golden hue. NOSE A beguiling perfume of elevated wattle honey, smoking wax, grilled white nectarine, white rose and ginger is rounded out by complex aromas of wet ocean limestone, lemon grass, Geraldton wax flowers and yeasty flat bread. Quite restrained in its youth, with more complexities to be unveiled over time. PALATE A bright yet creamy entry is supported by a beautifully taut line of acidity and incredible palate structure. An enticing pop of samphire complements the mineral, saline core, leading to a long, rich and dry finish with lingering hints of savoury beeswax.
Winemaker Notes
WINEMAKER'S NOTES Our most unique small vineyard sections where aspect and soil interplay with the Gingin Chardonnay in such a way to ignite stunning varietal and wild yeast influence. A moderately warm, dry and relatively early vintage of low yields produced fruit with fine perfumes, electric acidity and a very full rich mid palate weight balancing on a knifes edge of ‘al dente’ ripeness. Natural malolactic fermentation was allowed to complete 100%. Hand-harvested whole bunches were pressed and transferred direct to barrel as unclarified juice. Each parcel was fermented with only natural yeasts from the vineyard and left on lees in barrel for 10 months of maturation and an additional 7 months in tank after blending, with regular battonage. Crafted from 100% Gingin clone fruit, this wine remains true to the signature Heytesbury perfume and structure. A rich, structured, savoury and subtly complex release that will become even deeper with time.
Varietals:
Production Notes
100% Gingin Clone Chardonnay
Alcohol:
Alcohol %
13.5
Cellaring Potential:
Aging
3 years fresh, 3 - 8 years incredible drinking window, 8+ years for complex, aged Chardonnay
Harvested:
Harvest Date
5 - 12 February 2020
Oak:
Fermentation
French Oak Barrique, 62% new, 38% 1-4 year old, 10 months
TA:
Acid
6.7g/L
pH:
pH
3.14
Residual Sugar:
Residual Sugar
1.09g/L
Bottled:
Bottling Date
July 2021
Vintage Notes
2020

2020 was a warm vintage with low yields resulting in good quality. Spring development was early followed by a warm start to summer and continuing into fine sunny, dry conditions throughout the summer months. This, combined with lower yields, brought an early start to harvest. Happily, we experienced minimal bird pressure due to the timely arrival of Marri Blossom and there was no disease pressure. Following the completion of white harvest, a rainfall event in late February provided a timely drink for the reds. Bird pressure increased resulting in the netting of our red varietals. The faster ripening period combined with lower yields led to incredible concentration in our red varietals, with substantial tannins and rich fruit flavour. 

2020 Heytesbury Chardonnay
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$139.00
/ Bottle
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Reviews

  • Excellent - Langton's Classification VII

    Langton's Classification VII

    The glorious and expressive Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay is made up of individual sections of the Gin Gin clone. It evokes an exquisite balance between vineyards, emotional sensibility and technical brilliance. Batch vinification, bâttonage and maturation for nine months in around 60% (barely detectable) new and seasoned French oak results in a benchmark style with superb grapefruit and flinty aromatics, al dente textures and creamy complexity.

  • 98 Points

    Ray Jordan - Wine Pilot

    Just as with the Premier chardonnay, this is all barrel fermented with wild yeasts and full solids left in the juice. It’s then matured in a mix of 62 per cent new French oak and the remainder 1 and 4 year old. The concentration and power is immediately evident from the first engagement on the nose. Then the palate delivers with a bang. It’s an explosion of fruit power, cleverly augmented with oak and a little winemaking bringing even more depth and textural complexity to the table. The fruit comes from the very best sites which Vasse Felix call their Grand Cru plots. Rich and concentrated yes, but there is a minerally tension that strikes out with sustained momentum to a prolonged finish.

  • 98 Points

    The Real Review - Huon Hooke

    Bright mid-yellow colour, with an exuberant bouquet of grapefruit, cashew nuts and a faint smoky patina, the palate likewise flavoured and singing with a superb purity. Great refinement, intensity, line and length. A finesse wine, the grapefruit flavour so concentrated it gives an impression of sweetness—which of course it has none. A stunning chardonnay.

  • 94 Points

    Wine Business Magazine - Mike Bennie

    Scintilaating Chardonnay of high pedigree from first whiff and sip. Smoky-flinty mineral characters are found in perfume and palate, there's plenty of green apple and grapefruity freshness and crunch, a curl of nougat sweet-savouriness and saline elements. It feels quality, it feels fancy, and it is delicious. A strong currency for Australian Chardonnay.

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