| Vintage
The 2006 vintage will go down in recorded history as the coolest ever. Certainly Perth had the coolest summer for some 50 years. In light of this most harvest dates were at least one month later than usual so it is what we would describe as an atypical vintage. The positives have been that flavour ripeness tracked beautifully with rising sugar levels and acid retention was also higher giving crisp, clean wines, which will cellar well in the short to medium term.
Label Integrity
Chardonnay (Margaret River)
Winemaking
Premium multi-clonal Margaret River Chardonnay harvested during March of 2006. Slow, cool fermentation on light solids before racking, blending, fining and stabilisation. Bottled in late August 2006.
Tasting Notes
This is one wine of a new range of Margaret River wines introduced by Sandalford in 2006. In relative terms the Protégé wines are positioned between the Sandalford Premium (Margaret River) range and the entry-level Element (WA) range. The range includes a Premium Classic White (multi-varietal), Chardonnay (Unwooded), Rose (Cabernet Sauvignon), Shiraz and a Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (Blend).
This wine is pure unwooded Margaret River Chardonnay at it's best. Super-clean on the nose with the emphasis on ripe peachy fruit and a hint of creamy complexity from three months on light fermentation lees. The palate has beautiful weight and is full-flavoured with a hint of nuttiness on the finish. Again, balance and length define this wine. Serve cool and best consumed within three years of the vintage date.
Assessment
“This is part of a new range of wines introduced by Sandalford this year, designed to fit between the popular multi-regional Element and the premium Margaret River range. The aim has been to produce a fresh style of chardonnay without the addition of oak. Unwooded chardies can finish up a little too lean because there is no oak influence but the small amount of time on yeast lees has complemented the palate, adding texture and creamy richness. It shows lots of creamy, nutty characters on the nose which carry to the palate. The traditional grapefruit citrus freshness, heightened by the particularly cool vintage, adds a fresh zippy lift to the finish. This is an ideal style for summer drinking, maybe with some crays or snapper.”
The West Magazine by Ray Jordon.
“An unoaked Margaret River chardonnay from an impressive, new, mid-price range from Sandalford. Delicately floral with an attractive mouthfeel.”
STM Magazine by Peter Forrestal, March 11, 2007.
“Rich, weight wine with a zesty, biscuity/lemon nose and complex citrus palate supported by clean acidity.”
South Western Australia Regional Tasting – Winestate, March-April 2007
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