Collector Tiger Tiger Chardonnay 2019

Chardonnay (100%), TUMBARUMBA

Season

The 2018/19 growing season was marked by moderately dry conditions throughout, with vines tapping the moisture stored in the deep granitic soils to stay balanced and fresh in the benign conditions. A dry January/February enabled stress-free ripening and good retention of aromatics and grape acid.

Viticulture

Vineyard blocks are variously located between 610 and 760m altitude at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. The sites offer exceptional conditions for growing Chardonnay at the cool margin. The soil is deep, well-drained, weathered granite.

Winemaking

The grapes were harvested at just over 12 Baumé, with 10+ g/L acid. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and run to a mix of new and seasoned Allier and Tronçais oak for fermentation. Each parcel underwent a full malolactic fermentation and was aged on lees before blending and bottling in March 2020.

Taste

Possessing the characteristic freshness, refinement and flint of the Tiger Tiger, the 2019 has a layer of opulence conferred by the warmer vintage. The wine is fresh on the nose with aromas of white flowers, grapefruit and flint. A changing and complex wine of depth and concentration that with time in the glass reveals lemon curd, brioche and spent matchsticks. The palate is focussed, mouth-filling and long. The wine will metamorphose and take on complexity with age.