The devil, as they say, is in the detail. Here the detail comes in the form of a little less conversation and a little more (winemaking) action, with half the wine fermented naturally in 'pre-loved' (according to the back label. What a great term. 'Used oak' or 'older oak' is deadly boring. Pre-loved is sexy) French oak, the other half fermented in tank.
A light green/just yellow colour, this carefully balances grapefruit fruit characters with the barest hint of nutty oak. Has a light, fresh and clean palate that is quite soft compared to the SSB but does not lack for flavour depth.
This is simple WA Chardonnay yet is still quite long and well made. Easy recommendation for a light white.
Chardonnay 90%, Viognier 8%, Chenin Blanc 2%
Awards and Accolades
2015 Vintage: 94 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion "50% wild-fermented in used French oak, 50% in tank, an approach that has paid a handsome dividend; the palate has an excellent tactile quality that highlights the complexity of flavours ranging through struck match, white peach and a burst of grapefruit zest on the long finish."
From the Winery
Estate grown from the spectacular hillside vineyard in the Ferguson Valley of the Geographe wine region, fruit is sourced from our Henty and Cotterill blocks planted to the Mendoza or Gin Gin clone in 1998. The Dragonfly Chardonnay is designed to capture the essence of this noble variety in its pure form. Vibrant and refreshing in style, it highlights the classic white-fleshed stone fruit and almond blossom characters of the variety, combined with the texture, complexity and depth of flavour achieved from the better vineyard sites of the southwest.
Half of the wine was naturally fermented in preloved French oak barriques to build complexity, whilst the balance was fermented in tank and saw no oak at all. Temperature in oak is allowed to peak at 22 degrees celsius, whilst tank fermentation is maintained at less than 15 degrees celsius.
Don't Pay: $21.00
WBW Rating: 93/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Ferguson Valley, WA
Winemaker: Simon Burnell
Drink now until: 2020
Alc/Vol: 13 %