2011 Best's Chardonnay, Great Western Victoria

The Great Western range of wines represents an ideal introduction to the unique style of Great Western wine. These accessibly priced wines show detailed aromatic qualities set within a medium-bodied framework. The ‘continental’ climate, relatively unique in Australia, defined by cold nights and warm afternoons, means the fruit grown in Great Western develops flavours slowly through the day, building intense varietal aromas and characters.

Chardonnay was one of the first varietals planted in the Concongella Vineyard in the 1970s, even though cuttings were extremely hard to come by at the time. Our winemaker Justin Purser has considerable experience in and a passion for making Chardonnay, having worked in France's Burgundy, which is Chardonnay’s original home, prior to joining us at Best’s Great Western.

Our Chardonnay is picked early to ensure good acidity and to retain the fine aromatics and flavours of the variety – a feature that has been seen in other Chardonnay styles from the region. The wine undergoes only partial or no malolactic fermentation and is barrel fermented often with wild yeasts playing a part. It's aged in 100% French oak with a small percentage of new barrels.