2018 Redbrook Estate Chardonnay

the next generation of a margaret river classic

The name Redbrook has always evoked a sense of indulgence and luxury. In keeping with this philosophy, we have created two ranges of incredible wines to accentuate the unique character of Margaret River. 

The Redbrook Estate range delivers varietally expressive, fruit-driven wines that are ready to enjoy upon release, with no compromise on the quality and style expected from those bestowed with the Redbrook name.  

colour

Light gold, with a fresh, green rim.

aroma

A layered, complex aroma with stonefruit, pear and citrus notes with seductive fresh toast, dried herbs and malty aromas from wild fermentation on solids in new French oak barrels. 

palate

The palate shows the remarkable fruit sweetness, intensity and persistence that is a hallmark of the best Margaret River Chardonnays. This fruit intensity is matched with lovely texture and savoury elements from the time spent maturing in new French oak puncheons, balanced with fresh, natural acidity.

cellaring

Will continue to develop for at least five years from vintage. 

vintage

A prolonged cool and wet growing season meant the vines were lush and healthy heading into ripening. This resulted in later harvest dates, accentuated by the cool and wet ripening months; conditions not experienced in Western Australia for more than ten years. These conditions, coupled with the absence of heat events, produced highly aromatic whites with good natural acidity. A very dry April allowed the last of the white varieties to achieve full ripeness, providing optimum conditions for picking.

winemaking

The fruit was picked according to when flavours peaked in each Block. At perfect ripeness, the fruit was selectively hand-picked at dawn, before being hand loaded into an airbag press and gently squeezed.  The free-run juice was continuously tasted until an optimum point was reached which ensured only juice of the finest quality was used in the blend.

All juice went straight from the press into new French oak puncheons to undergo wild fermentation. Following fermentation, the wine remained in barrel for 7-10 months, with monthly lees stirring to provide texture and mouthfeel. Each batch, and each barrel type within each batch, was carefully assessed for inclusion in the final Redbrook blend. The wine was then stabilised and filtered once prior to bottling and maturation prior to release. This minimal handling has produced a unique, delicate Redbrook Chardonnay style that will develop great complexity over time.

region

Margaret River 

variety

Chardonnay

analysis

• Alcohol: 13%
• pH: 3.1
• Acidity (TA): 8.1 g/L

Baked red snapper with garlic and thyme butter.

Halliday wine companion 2022

Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, wild ferment in barrel (35% new), 18% mlf, on lees for 16 months, stirred for 10, before a quiet, untouched 6 months on lees prior to bottling. Crushed cashew, white peach, briny acidity and silky phenolics on the palate. Seamless, creamy and classy, this is perfectly Margaret River, in a perfect year. Lovely stuff.

Ray Jordan top 100 whites, sparkling & roses

Such a fine and delicate sophisticated chardonnay here. Minerally grapefruit aromas strike on the nose while the palate delivers with deft precision and focus. The stone fruit citrus and faint pear character on the palate are held with a super fine-grained oak contribution.

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