Kooyong, Single Vineyard Farrago Chardonnay

This single-block wine was sourced from just 0.7 ha of 22-year-old gently sloping Chardonnay vines within the 2.76 ha Farrago block. The mottled appearance of the clay soil in the Farrago block is caused by a high percentage of ironstone pebbles, much like the Ferrous block. This siliceous influence infuses the resulting wines with linearity and minerality. The fruit was gently whole-bunch pressed directly into French oak barriques (20% of which were new), and fermentation commenced spontaneously with ambient yeasts. Following fermentation, the wine was aged on lees (without battonage) for 11 months and the wine was racked only once, directly prior to bottling. The wine was bottled without fining and with minimal filtration.

The 2020 Farrago Chardonnay displays a fascinating combination of aromas; mandarin zest, fleshy stone fruits and almond meal, together with subtle notes of flint and a warming oak-derived spice. The palate has great concentration with intense pithy grapefruit acidity. It shows a typical power and focus with distinct candied citrus and fresh stone fruit flavours together with a moreish texture. Looking youthful at this stage, this wine will significantly benefit from time in the cellar.