TOLPUDDLE VINEYARD, COAL RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY 2022
| Grape: | 100% Chardonnay |
| Vineyard: | Tolpuddle Vineyard |
| Origin: | Tasmania, Australia |
| Vintage: | 2022 |
| ABV%: | 13.5% |
| Colour: | Yellow |
| Aromas: | Notes of lemon peel, lime zest, and fresh white flowers |
| Flavours: |
The palate has an impressive persistence of flavour, excellent balance, fresh zingy acid and a distinct crystalline character. |
The Tolpuddle Vineyard was purchased by Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw in 2011. First planted in 1988 by Tony Jordan and Garry Crittenden with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it has since established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes. The vineyard took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were transported to Australia in 1834 for starting an agrarian union. The leader of the group, George Loveless, served part of his sentence working on a property near Richmond called GlenAyr, part of which is now the Tolpuddle Vineyard.
Vineyard
The 20 hectare north-east facing vineyard is located in the Coal River Valley, which sits in a rain shadow, creating dry but cold conditions. The dry climate ensures there is very low disease pressure, which in turn means the grapes can be left on the vines longer to ensure they ripen fully, resulting in grapes of high aromatic intensity. The vineyard is situated on a gentle slope and the soil is light silica over sandstone and of moderate vigour, ensuring well-balanced vines. In 2006 the vineyard won the inaugural Tasmanian Vineyard of the Year award, reflecting the performance of this unique and distinguished site.
2022 Vintage
Winemakers Highlights
All hand-picked fruit was fermented as a combination of whole berries and whole bunches in open wooden and stainless steel fermenters, with gentle plunging. The wine was aged in French oak for 10 months, of which about one third was new oak.