Burnside Chardonnay 2010
Tasting Note
A new addition, from a little further north closer to the centre of the Margaret River region. A hint of toffee apple combines with tropical pineapple and peach. Dominated by stone fruit this is mouth filling and textural supported by persistent mineral acidity. Luscious and warming with flavours of fresh cut pawpaw and more complex almond meal. There’s also an apricot fruit danish from natural ferment and time on spent yeast.
THE SEASON
With El Nino has come a progressively reduced rainfall. Spring has been a little wetter and summer has had more temperature extremes. In 2009 spring was again wet and blustery and shaping to be something like 2008. But a heat spike in January 2010 with a week of 35 degree+ brought whites into line quickly and within an instant they were coming off earlier than average. Reds drew out as things cooled off heading into March. Patience to get tannin ripeness in reds proved dividends though an early break to the season with rainfall had us on the edge of our seats.
VINEYARDS
One of the older sites for Chardonnay in Margaret River, it was planted in 1983 and is literally on the banks of the river. The cane pruned vines face east on a steep slope with a nor-west, sou-east orientation. The roots are deep into a loamy soil that is reinforced with pea gravel, the flavours indicative of a long tap root that doesn’t require watering. A rich soil structure aided by years of heavy composting and controlled grazing thus helping soil structure find its individuality.
VINIFICATION
Nothing new here. Whole bunch pressing proceeds to a primary fermentation after an overnight settling. Natural yeasts get the job done, minimal sulphur ensures these site yeasts are retained, and in doing so enhances the expression of the Burnside persona. The complex and intriguing characters derived from these natural yeasts are further played out by ageing the wine in contact with the spent yeast cells. Maturation is conducted in older barrels from a single cooper and the wine remains undisturbed until it is bottled
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