Mayford Chardonnay Alpine Valleys 2023

I am more than happy to say that Mayford Chardonnay is one of the best Chardonnays in Australia. Having tasted multiple vintages over the last year, it stands up young and with age. Mayford Chardonnay is delicate and nuanced with mid-weight and a lot of complex characters. Drink it now, drink it in 10 years. Just make sure you are drinking Mayford Chardonnay. Mayford Chardonnay Alpine Valleys 2023 and all wines are eligible for at least 5% off any six bottles. And 10% off any 12 bottles. Some wines will be at a more significant discount and not subject to further discounts. High above the Ovens River, overlooking the sleepy township of Porepunkah, the family-owned Mayford Vineyard lies tucked away from view. The Mayford Vineyard was established with a modest planting of Shiraz in 1995, which was enlarged in 1998.  Tempranillo and Chardonnay followed in 2002. Hand-picking and small-batch winemaking are utilised to create complexity off the small vineyard. There is a preference to let the naturally occurring yeasts dictate the timing and expression of the fermentation process. The reds are worked in small open fermenters and basket pressed before going to oak, where natural malolactic fermentation is encouraged.  Fining and filtration are kept to a minimum. Mayford Chardonnay Alpine Valleys 2023Wine Notes "Cool conditions in summer and autumn of 2023 pushed harvest into late February and March, giving the crop extended ripening time on vine. Small parcels of Chardonnay were hand-picked, chilled and whole bunch pressed sequentially to French barriques, 25% new. Fermentation in oak by indigenous yeasts followed before an eleven-month maturation period with lees stirring and full malo to offset the high natural acidity of the season. Complex aromatics of citrus blossom, toasted nuts, yellow peach, bees wax, crème brulee and flint. The palate offers texture and a perfect balance of fruit weight, refreshing acidity and lovely, luscious length. It meshes finesse with power and persistence. A beautiful wine that will delight and evolve for decades. Drink 2025 – 2045. Bottled February 2024 Bottled under screw cap." Alpine Valleys There is a lot spoken about the lovely King Valley. But the Alpine Valleys that surround offers some fantastic wines. Often at great value. Chardonnay The grape that you can plant anywhere, in any climate and do anything to, and it will still taste like an OK wine. When people hit the sweet spot of site, climate, cropping and winemaking, Chardonnay becomes a magical wine that will age gracefully but charm you at any age. Chardonnays can range from cool-climate lean and citrusy to warmer climate tropical and overt. Oak and lees can add flavouring, as can malolactic fermentation. Australian Wine The invasion of “Sunshine in a bottle” put Australian wine on the map.  The fruity, easy-going, somewhat samey wines were endearing for a short time. Then the next big thing knocked them off their perch. This forced producers to increase quality and emphasise the distinctive terroirs of Australia. Of which, there are many. And many more yet to be discovered. Wine Wine is the result you get from fermented grape juice. There is proof of wine production dating back 8000 years ago. Fashions, innovations and many other factors have influenced the way wine has evolved over the years. The wine grape is special. It contains everything you need to make grape wine except for the yeast, which lives on the outside of the skins. Human inputs can influence the final product, including the viticulture (growing) choices. And the winemaker can shape the wine to a point too. The best wines of the world often refer to terroir. Terroir is a French term that refers to all the climatic, geological and topographical influences on a specific piece of land. And it is true that neighbouring vineyards, grown identically, can taste noticeably different. White Wine It is interesting to know that you can make white wine from almost any grape. The colour comes from the skins, and if there is no contact, there is no colour. White wines tend to be delicate, perfumed, higher in acid and lower in alcohol. It seems for this and many other reasons, it is hard to make an incredibly impressive white wine. But those that have mastered the art are indeed some of the best winemakers in the world. It is a falsehood to think that white wine does not age as well as red wine. But it is correct that white wine, as a rule, doesn’t age for as long. The Wine Depository I, Phil, have been running The Wine Depository since 2011. The Wine Depository exists to make sure you are drinking the good wines. You can browse and pick what is interesting to you. Or you can make contact with me. I’ll make sure you get what you want, to your palate, to your budget and to your door.   Mayford Chardonnay Alpine Valleys 2023 Mayford Chardonnay Alpine Valleys 2023 Back Label