16 Stops, Chardonnay
Vintage: 2024
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | HA204B24 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
True to our unwavering commitment to promoting regionality within our Australian portfolio, we felt investing in premium regions for our entry point Australian wines was the best approach. Given the excellent quality of the fruit they are made from, the 16 Stops wines offer tremendous value for money.
The wines are made with grapes from the McLaren Vale and Adelaide regions. They are produced alongside the Willunga 100 wines in McLaren Vale and benefit from the same expert input from Willunga 100’s winemaker Renae Hirsch.
Vineyards
The grapes for this Chardonnay were sourced from the Riverland region along the Murray River in South Australia. This particular region has two main soil types: sandy loams over clay subsoils along the river valley and at a higher altitude, sandy soils over limestone and clay layers. All of the vineyards use modern trellis systems and are fully irrigated.
Vintage
The 2024 vintage began with a dry, mild winter. Early spring was dry, with warm days and cool nights slowing shoot growth and reducing crop size in some early flowering varieties. However, in mid-November rainfall increased, alongside humidity, which encouraged growth but also required careful vineyard management to control disease. Rainfall stopped in early January and dry, sunny conditions were maintained throughout ripening and harvest, reducing disease pressures. A few short heat waves provided some challenges, but the fruit quality remained excellent.
Vinification
The fruit was machine harvested and taken to the winery in the cool of the night, where it was fermented in stainless steel tanks. No oak was used at any stage to retain the fresh fruit character in the final wine. Neutral and varietal-enhancing yeasts were used with a cool, steady fermentation to retain aromatic character. The wine spent three months on lees prior to filtering and bottling.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This Chardonnay is pale yellow in colour. On the nose, there are aromas of citrus and stone fruit with white floral aromas. The palate is dominated by white peach and nectarine with hints of spice adding to the complexity of the wine. It is crisp and elegant with a lovely texture and long finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
12.5%