Awards: Bronze Medal, Class 7, 1999 Mudgee Wine Show Bronze Medal, Class 10, 2000 Cowra Wine Show

At last a normal year in Mudgee for its beloved Chardonnay. Mudgee is the home of Australian Chardonnay, with the old Craigmoor vineyard the source block for much of the industry's expansion over the past 3 decades.

There is little respect from Mother Nature for such historical significance with vintage variation capriciously common for Mudgee Chardonnay. However 1999 heralded the end of several drought vintages in Mudgee and the beginning of more normal cool years.

Ideal growing conditions continued through Christmas with well-balanced vine canopies and low yields. The crop was fruit-thinned to 5 tonnes per hectare pre-veraison. A long slow ripening period saw excellent fruit maturity, with grapes picked on March 8, two weeks later than normal.

The sugar ripeness was 13.3 Be, with acid levels at 6.8 grams and a pH of 3.20. The grapes were whole bunch pressed, with no settling period. The juice was then fully fermented in new French barrels from the Nevers region. No sulphur dioxide was added during ageing and the wine was regularly lees-stirred.

After 10 months in oak the wine was then bottled with little filtration.

The wine is full bodied with high acid, the oak is apparent however there is a tight fruit structure that will ensure good ageing. Familiar Mudgee Chardonnay characters of grapefruits, limes and cashew nuts. It will match chicken and pasta dishes particularly well.

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