2023 Dexter Chardonnay is consistent with previous vintages.
The concentration and power of 37-year-old Chardonnay vines on grey sandy clay loam soil are evident, especially in 2023.
The wine has deep layers of pickled lemon rind, mandarin skin, and crunchy white nectarine with refreshing acidity. Its structure is rich and thick, with hints of flint and white pepper similar to those of the 2019 Chardonnay.
This very generous and refreshing Chardonnay can be drunk now but will also age well.
Dexter Wines is part of The Real Review 2024 TOP WINERIES OF AUSTRALIA.
By The Wine Maker
Each clone on our single vineyard site was picked separately when they individually reached optimal ripeness.
This was followed by gentle whole-bunch pressing into separate tanks and settling overnight.
They were then transferred to 500L French oak puncheons (19% New, 19% second use, 19% third use and 43% older) to undergo fermentation.
During maturation, the barrels were stirred occasionally depending on their flavour profile. Some barrels went through natural malolactic fermentation.
For this vintage 80% completed MLF.
The wine was left on yeast lees until December to develop structure; it was then transferred to tank to prepare for bottling. The wine was bottled early January 2024, 10 months after harvest.
