2009 Montalto Chardonnay
Our Montalto wines are 100% estate grown, matched with considered winemaking to produce elegant, long lived wines of distinction
Vineyard
The Chardonnay is sourced entirely from the estate property in Red Hill South, utilizing both vineyards Pennon Hill with its younger and cooler south facing slopes matched with the original planting on the north face, vines dating back to the mid 80’s provides small batches of exceptional fruit, which we gently nurture through ripening.
The cool climate of the Peninsula provides an extended ripening period producing grapes with high natural acidity and intense fruit weight. Our careful attention to detail in the vineyard, by way of parcel selection and harvest criteria followed by meticulous winemaking practices ensures the highest level of wine quality is achieved.
- Vineyard(s): Pennon Hill (Red Hill South)
- Montalto Vineyard - “Eleven” Block (Red Hill South) – clone P58
- Elevation: 110 meters
- Soil: Red Volcanic-based Clay
- Trellis: VSP
- Average vine age: 20 years
Vintage
2009 was one of the warmest vintages on record. This brought picking times forward by 3-4 weeks. Having south and north facing vineyards was beneficial as these vines produced fruit that complimented one another. Drought conditions in 2009 resulted in very low yields. Hand harvested grapes were delivered to the winery in early March packed with intensity of flavour.
Winemaking
To keep in line with Montalto philosophy this wine was fermented and matured in carefully selected French oak to enhance richness and quality to the wine. The careful use of malo-lactic fermentation and “battonage” increased complexity.
- Crush: whole bunch
- Yeast: Cultured / Wild
- Primary Fermentation: 100% barrel, lees stirring
- Malolactic Fermentation: 40% of barrels
- Barrels: 40% new, 30% 2nd year, 30% 3rd year.
- Post-ferment maturation: barrel maturation 11 months
- Fining/Filtration: Lightly fined with egg white and filtered once
Technical Data
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- PH/acidity: 3.16/6.53 g/L
- Bottled: February 2010
- Closure: Stelvin
- Cases: 603
Tasting Notes
- Aroma: white peach, melon, cashew
- Palate: fine acidity, tropical, developing
- Finish: round, delicate
Accolades
- 96 points – 2012 Wine Companion, James Halliday
Cellaring Advice
Given this wine's pedigree, cellaring will reward the most avid collector. Over the next ten years expect to see a softening of acids with greater integration of fruit and oak. Developing complexity on the palate while retaining elegance.
