2007 Chardonnay

The elegant structure of the Victory Point Chardonnay is largely due to the combination of four Burgundian clones (76, 95, 96 & 277) have been planted alongside the more traditional Mendoza clone.

The 2007 vintage is a combination of approximately 20% of each of these clones.

The Chardonnay vines have been dry grown from planting and are showing the benefit of having developed a deep root structure, however yields have remained extremely low.

In Margaret River, the overall conditions for the 2007 vintage are considered good for producing very good red and white wines. The warmer than average spring temperatures brought on rapid vine growth and after the extremely late season of 2006, the 2007 vintage was heading for an early harvest. However, the summer months produced moderate temperatures, perfect for ripening. At Victory Point, just north of the Margaret River township, the grapes continued to ripen over February and were hand picked on 22/2/2007 at an average 13.2 Baume.

The wine has been fermented and aged in a mix of new and one year old (20%) French oak barriques for nine months.

Tasting Notes

Colour: The colour is a very youthful medium straw with green tints and the condition is bright.

Bouquet: On the nose the wine shows the key features of the 2007 vintage. First of all there is full fruit ripeness, with aromas of melon and peach and then in the background complexity of passionfruit, honey, cashews, caramel and spice.  Then the second guide to the vintage quality is the balance of oak, which sits neatly in the background behind these rich fruit notes.

Palate: The generosity and balance on the nose is also hallmark of the palate, where the wine displays almost plump fruit weight across the middle but it retains lively acidity, with a crispness that gives a linearity and freshness.  The length is excellent and the fruit flavours finish with a good combination of cherry, spicy oak and some soft tannins at the very end.

Cellaring: At this early stage the great fruit depth makes the wine very enjoyable but there is a structure underneath that will allow it to age.  Like most good Margaret River Chardonnays, it will build a little more complexity with each year in bottle and by 5 years of old should have developed the beginnings of its bottle bouquet.  However its structure and fruit depth should ensure that it will continue to develop and it should be kept until it is at least 10 years old to see it as the complete, complex wine.

Drink: Until 2020