Woodlands Chardonnay 2007 (Margaret River, WA)

COMMENTS

The 2007 vintage could not have been more different from 2006. While 2006 saw the latest picking dates ever seen at Woodlands, 2007 saw the earliest. December and January were incredibly hot, while the weather conditions moderated in late February leading up to vintage.
Our Chardonnay was handpicked in February at Beaume’s ranging from 12.5 to 13.5. Each batch of our 2007 Chardonnay was separately handpicked, destemmed and pressed into small fermentors. One batch of fruit was left in the press for 45 minutes before pressing to increase skin contact and complexity.
After pressing, each batch of juice was left to settle at 12 degrees Celsius for 8 days. The juice was then racked from the gross lees and inoculated (yeast was added). During fermentation, the lees were stirred to enhance complexity.
Following ferment the lees remained in tank to retain freshness and power. Also, 12% of our 2007 Chardonnay remained in new French oak barrels to enhance intensity of fruit and provide a more complex flavour profile. Prior to bottling the wine from the barrels was added to the wine in tank to allow the wine to integrate.

TASTING NOTES

Our 2007 Chardonnay is pale gold in colour. The nose shows layers of green apple, pear, mineral notes and subtle French oak influences. Characters of pear and nectarine dominate a balanced and refined palate. The palate shows poise and finesse, finishing clean and fresh.
We believe this to be one of the best Chardonnays made at Woodlands.