2023 'Mack's Tartan' Chardonnay

Only 68 cases made

Artwork

The oil-on-wood painting by Kate Lewis shows the family’s tartan, which reminds the pair of their uncle and grandad, dressed in kilts, playing the bagpipes in perfect squealy harmony at family events. 

Tasting Notes

It’s rich. It’s decadent. It’s holding onto some very subtle sweetness which, when combined with the full malo-lactic fermentation and 15-month oak maturation, creates a memorable, full and rounded drinking experience. The lemon-like acidity is perfectly present and carries through the indulgence of the butterscotch and vanilla notes. This is the winemaker’s preferred style of Chardonnay.

Think yellow nectarine, salted grapefruit pith, Werther's originals and almond nougat, all tied together by a striking acid line and an opulent, textural mouthfeel. 

Winemaking

In late March 2023, the Chardonnay was picked in two parcels. Both were destemmed and very gently pressed into barriques in the cool room for a long, slow ferment. After their wild fermentations, including a complete malolactic fermentation, they received monthly lees stirring until being racked off their solids in July 2023. The Mack’s Tartan then remained in 3 barriques until it felt ready to be bottled in June of 2024 after a total of 15 months in neutral French oak.

Vineyard

The two selected parcels were grown by Bellarine Estate and Pettavel vineyards, from the cool maritime climate of the Bellarine Peninsula and the more Mediterranean inland subregion of the Moorabool Valley, respectively. The co-mingling of cool-grown freshness and cool-warm-grown opulence is on full display here.

Wine Region

Geelong, Victoria

Year

2023

ABV

12.7%

Occasion

Try it with your cheese and biscuits, before the main course, or even with dessert!