Tasting notes from the winery for Ngeringa Summit Chardonnay 2017

A subtle, restrained chardonnay from a cooler vintage with near perfect ripening conditions. Aromas of honey dew melon, crunchy quince and white peach with hints of lime and grapefruit with subtle toast and spice from the oak barrels. The palate has a chalky texture with fresh saline, sea-air minerality. A complex wine with fresh vibrant fruit, and great aging potential. A complete wine now, but showing huge potential to shine with a little more age in bottle. 

Vintage: The Adelaide Hills had a very wet winter in 2017. The average rainfall throughout the growing season coupled with low temperatures resulted in harvest four to six weeks later than in 2016. With control of yields (through fruit and shoot thinning), this year has the potential to be one of the truly great vintages of the Adelaide Hills. 

Vineyard: From our east-facing Summit Vineyard which collects more of the morning sunlight and less of the intense, direct afternoon heat. Vineyard altitude ranges between 330m and 360m above sea level, and the soil consists of sandy loam over red-orange clay, sandstone and ironstone. Fruit for our Single Vineyard Chardonnay comes from a small section in the middle of this vineyard where the balance of topsoil over subsoil is optimal for vine balance, flavour concentration and structure. The entire farm is certified biodynamic and is farmed with the rhythms of nature, tending towards a self-sustaining system without the use of synthetic chemical inputs. 

Winemaking: The Chardonnay grapes are hand harvested gently into small 15kg crates then whole bunch pressed, with minimal settling into new (30%) and old French oak barriques (228L). Fermentation begins spontaneously with wild yeast from our vineyards and winery. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. Wines mature 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: 12.8% 
Grapes: Chardonnay 
Region: Adelaide Hills (Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia)  
Winemaker: Erinn Klein 
Organic
Biodynamic
Vegan Friendly

(SKU: NG_SCH_17)