Ngeringa 'Sheoak' Chardonnay 2024

Ngeringa 'Sheoak' Chardonnay 2024This pale lemon yellow Chardonnay balances power and finesse. The nose reveals layers of stone fruit, gently complemented by orange citrus and floral Spring blossoms. The palate offers creamy textures, with flavours of yellow peach, lemon zest, and subtle vanilla and cashew. The oak is well integrated, supporting ample fruit intensity, while good natural acidity keeps it vibrant. Complex yet approachable, its drinking beautifully now. Vintage notes:

This pale lemon-yellow Chardonnay balances power and finesse. The nose reveals layers of stone fruit, gently complemented by orange citrus and floral Spring blossoms. The palate offers creamy textures, with flavours of yellow peach, lemon zest, and subtle vanilla and cashew. The oak is well-integrated, supporting ample fruit intensity, while good natural acidity keeps it vibrant. Complex yet approachable, it’s drinking beautifully now.

Vintage notes: The season began with an early bud burst following a dry spring and early summer. Flowering was strong across our vineyards, resulting in excellent fruit set compared to other parts of the Hills. Mid-season rain boosted yields for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A mild summer with only one heat spike allowed for slow, steady ripening, delivering wines with concentration, balanced acidity, and long, dense flavours.

Vineyard notes: A blend of Ngeringa’ estate grown Biodynamic Chardonnay from our prized Summit Vineyard as well as small parcels of Chardonnay from three special Adelaide Hills vineyards, Manyara, (certified organic, Balhannah), Landsdown (organic in conversion, Forreston), and the Turnbull family vineyard (Charleston).

Winemaking: The Chardonnay grapes are gently hand harvested, then whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling into French oak barriques and puncheons of which thirty percent are new barrels. Fermentation began spontaneously with wild yeast and followed by a natural malolactic fermentation. The wine matured on lees for nine months with no battonage. A small dose of sulphur was added prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining.