2017 Port Phillip Red Hill Estate Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula

The Chardonnay block at Port Phillip Estate’s Red Hill vineyard consists of three parcels. The largest section (1.3 hectares) is the oldest, at 27 years. A smaller planting of 0.3 hectares was added seven years later. A third, as yet unproductive, area of more closely planted vines was established in 2013.

The site has deep soils with great water-holding capacity, so the vines require very little irrigation throughout Summer. The cool evenings of Red Hill’s maritime climate and cold air flow down the hill help maintain the wine’s hallmark acidity. 

The grapes were gently whole-bunch pressed directly into French oak barriques (15% new) and fermentation commenced without inoculation. After fermentation the wine was aged on lees (without battonage) for 11 months. It was The 2017 Port Phillip Estate ‘Red Hill’ Chardonnay begins with a calm and refined nose that offers a fragrant combination of nectarine, quince and ginger spiciness. Fleshy white stone fruit flavours lead into an energetic palate that culminates with a deep chalky finish. It was bottled without fining and with minimal filtration.