Xanadu Reserve chardonnay 2021

This was a vintage with some challenges largely as a result of rain and resulting humidity. It meant the vignerons were busy getting the fruit to the sorting table in top condition. Thankfully, that has been done and the result is an exceptional wine. After handpicking the fruit is whole bunch pressed and then 100% barrel fermented in oak of which 28% was new. The fermentation occurred naturally with wild yeasts and true to the Goodall style no malolactic fermentation to achieve a high degree of varietal and regional purity. In the end a selection of the best barrels makes it to the final blend. Spicy grapefruit aromas with a little lemon curd. The palate is super intense and linear with a bright chalky acidity pushing it through to a very long finish.