Tasting notes from the winery for Ngeringa Chardonnay 2019

A chardonnay with power and pure fresh stone fruit like yellow fleshy peach and citrus zest, yet simultaneously complex with nutty malo-derived savory notes. Fine French oak aromas balanced by ample fruit intensity, present with approachable acidity. Very drinkable now. 

Vintage: 2019 gave little but concentrated clean fruit, with average spring rainfall and a very dry summer, several heat-waves near harvest resulting in early picking. Importantly cold nights throughout Feb/Mar helped retained brightness in the fruit profile and high natural acidity. 

Vineyard: From our east-facing Summit Vineyard, collecting more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense afternoon heat. The altitude ranges between 330m and 360m above sea level consisting of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone. The grapes for this wine come predominantly from the upper and lower sections of the Summit Vineyard while the middle section goes to our Single vineyard Chardonnay. The entire farm is certified Biodynamic, farmed with the rhythms of nature and working towards a self-sustaining farming system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs. 

Winemaking: The Chardonnay grapes are gently hand harvested into small 15kg crates then whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling into new and old French oak barriques (228L) and puncheons (500L). Fermentation begins spontaneously with wild yeast from our vineyards and winery. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine matures on full lees for 11 months with no battonage. A small dose of sulphur is added at blending just prior to bottling. No enzymes, no fining, no filtration. 

Winery: Ngeringa has been certified biodynamic for more than 20 years. It is the biodynamic process that creates a balanced and healthy relationship between soil, plant and all living beings – and opens the vines to optimum expression of flavour in the glass.

Technical Details:
Alcohol: 13.5% 
Grapes: Chardonnay
Region: Adelaide Hills (Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia)  
Site(s): Ngeringa Summit Vineyard 
Winemaker: Erinn Klein 
Organic
Biodynamic
Vegan Friendly

(SKU: NG_CHA_19)