2017 Snake + Herring Corduroy Chardonnay, Karridale, Margaret River

Chardonnay is the pinnacle of white wines in Margaret River and we love the finesse and natural acidity in chardonnay from the Karridale sub-region. Higher rainfall and humidity means there is less moisture stress down here. Cooler days and nights preserve natural acidity and grow finesse, length and complexity.

This vineyard has an excellent track record with Chardonnay and we have been working with the owners since 2003. There is an obsessive attention to detail that delivers pristine hand picked fruit perfect for whole bunch pressing. After chilling in a cold room overnight we press the whole clusters of chardonnay direct to barrel: no clarifying, no acid added, no added yeast. The wild ferment kicks off as the juice warms and is slow and even. The oak is seven 500L French oak puncheons (3 new) for excellent oak integration, respect of the fruit and a cool look. After 10 months on full lees (without sulphur dioxide) in oak the wine is assembled (with a small sulphur addition) and was bottled in January 2018. We made 384 dozen.

The 2017 Corduroy Chardonnay is the sixth vintage and is another chapter in the story of a wonderful Chardonnay vineyard. The vintage saw a cool summer with some heavy rain followed by a drier autumn which allowed perfect ripening. Natural acid was preserved by the cold nights and cooler days, which adds backbone and freshness to the Corduroy's renowned power.

The lifted signature melon, grapefruit and white nectarine (charred on a hot grill) is complemented by toasted hazelnuts, cashew and some charcuturie. Some white floral clonal chardonnay character too. The pithy midpalate has grapefruit, cashew and creamy richness but a tight acid cut through the finish. Lingers with nectarine, grapefruit and nuts.