GIANT STEPS SEXTON VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2019

100% hand picked – a spectacular year with every block and clone contributing to the final blend.
Whole bunch pressed, juice transferred to barrel by gravity with no settling.
Fermented in 500L French puncheons.
A small amount of bâtonnage and 20% malolactic fermentation.
Maturation for 10 months in new and used French oak – 20% new,
80% older, Taransaud, Mercurey and D&J.

THE VINEYARD:
Location: Gruyere
Planted: 1997
Elevation: 130 - 210 metres
Soil Type: Grey clay loam over granite / ironstone
Aspect: North facing slopes
Size: 30 HectaresLocated on the steep north facing slopes of the Warramate Ranges, the Sexton Vineyard is our premium Chardonnay Vineyard.
Being on the higher slopes, topsoil is thin and root systems have established themselves in shallow gravelly loams above a tough rocky clay base.
Bunch yields set naturally low in this environment, resulting in intensely flavoured fruit with high skin to juice ratio.
The predominant clones are GinGin and Mendoza which produce hens and chickens (large and small grapes on the same bunch), which results in high white tannin and phenolic content to balance the citrus flavours.