Chardonnay 2007
Rocky Road Chardonnay 2007
Vineyards
Fruit is sourced from the Rocky Road vineyard which lies in the headwaters of the Chapman Brook, near Witchcliffe in the south of the Margaret River region. With a northerly aspect, the vines enjoy long days of sunshine, moderated by the vineyard's southern location. All vines on the McHenry Hohnen vineyards are grown on a single bilateral cordon with a vertically trained canopy. It is a simple and practical format that maximises light penetration and maintains a balanced vine.
Vinification
Grapes are harvested in the cool of the night and following whole berry pressing, the juice is settled, and then run into barrels for the primary fermentation. Some batches are inoculated with yeast whilst others are left to proceed with a natural fermentation. The finished wine is left on spent yeast cells until the blend is assembled and bottled in late summer.
Tasting Notes by Freya Hohnen and Ryan Walsh
The zesty grapefruit and tangerine on the nose is mildly infused with savoury characters derived from fermentation in old oak barrels. Riper tropical notes with a full round palate is the trademark of the gravelly Rocky Road soils. The rich middle weight texture has cashew and apricot and is tightly drawn together in the finish with sherbet acid. A bold wine with persistence and restraint.
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