| Vintage
In stark contrast to 2006 the 2007 vintage was the earliest start to vintage in recorded history at Sandalford Wines. Picking dates were some two to six weeks ahead of the "average". The main contributors to this were the very warm and dry summer conditions, the cumulative effect of successive years of drought and the ultra cool conditions for the growing season of the 2006 vintage. The other big news out of vintage 2007 was the large reduction in expected crop levels. In some cases expected yields were down 50%. The overall effect however of all the above is that the fruit from this year's harvest is perfectly ripe, (as is the acid profile) and that fruit flavour and intensity in addition to tannin structure for the reds, is outstanding. This will give great cellaring potential to all those styles suited to longer maturation in bottle.
Harvest
Picking occurred in February of 2007 during the cool of night.
Viticulture
The fruit for this wine came from both our own Margaret River Wilyabrup Estate and an established vineyard in the Gingin area of Greater Perth. This well managed and beautiful vineyard has access to excellent water supplies and is planted on fertile brown loamy clay. The vines are uniform in growth and managed with a VSP canopy. Every year the fruit from this vineyard is outstanding and in line with this the 2006 Element Chardonnay was awarded a Silver Medal at the Royal Adelaide 2007 wine show.
Oak Treatment
Unoaked
Winemaking Summary
Immediately after harvest the fruit was destemmed, crushed and chilled to 10 degrees Celsius en route to the tankpress. The free-run and pressings were blended together and fined. After cold settling for 24 hours the juice was racked, warmed to 16 C and inoculated with selected yeast strains. At the end of fermentation the wine was racked off gross lees and left unullaged in stainless steel tanks on light wine lees. The wine was stirred on these lees with minimal sulphur for six months prior to blending, fining, stabilisation, sterile filtration and bottling.
Colour
Pale-straw with lemon tints.
Nose
An elegant and fruity Chardonnay showing classic white stone fruit nuances with hints of melon and fresh cashew nut.
Palate
A warm and rich Chardonnay actually showing some weight toward a medium-bodied style. The flavours are of ripe peach and melons and there is a certain lusciousness to the mouthfeel. This is a wine to serve chilled and drunk now or within the next few years.
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