2013 McCutcheon Chardonnay

2013 McCutcheon Chardonnay
Crunchy acidity with a generous palate, this wine is the perfect pairing for Baked Vacherin on a cold winters night.
Wine Profile
Vintage |
Other Notes
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter and cooler temperatures over spring led to late budburst and flowering (our latest on record). A mild start to the summer delayed fruit set followed by mild conditions over autumn providing slower ripening and resulting in a later start to the vintage (2 weeks later than average). Yields were significantly reduced but those grapes that were picked were of good quality – great natural acidity and lovely flavours in our Chardonnay with the Pinot Noir benefitting from the long cool ripening.
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Vineyards :: Clones |
Vineyard Notes
McCutcheon (100%) :: P58 (100%) [Ridge Block]
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Harvest date :: Yield |
Harvest Date
Hand picked 20 March 2013
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Brix :: pH :: TA |
pH
22.7° (12.6° Baumé) :: 3.46 :: 7.1 g/l
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Winemaking |
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were hand-harvested on 20 March, whole bunch pressed and the unsettled juice was
transferred to 22% new French oak barriques. Fermentation by indigenous yeasts preceded a
partial (47%) malolactic fermentation in spring and regular stirring of lees was carried out over a
9 month barrel maturation. Bottled lightly fined and filtered.
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Winemakers |
Production
Jeremy Magyar, Richard McIntyre, Martin Spedding
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Aging :: Oak |
Aging
9 months :: 22% new French oak barriques
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Residual sugar |
Residual Sugar
Dry (0.99 g/l)
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Finished pH :: TA |
Acid
3.35 :: 6.1 g/l
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Alcohol % |
Alcohol %
13.6
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Production |
Production Notes
175 dozen :: bottled 6 February 2014 :: screwcap
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Tasting Notes |
Tasting Notes
The nose, while anything but broad, is forthright and assertive. This meets you well over half
way, and as a drinker it can be refreshing to encounter something so expressive. Complex,
savoury notes attack first, followed by a depth of stonefruit and spice that promises much in
the mouth. Although a wine of some volume, this retains plenty of detail in its aroma, and
will reward extended nosing.
Quite explosive in the mouth, with a burst of fruit-driven flavour that leaps past the entry
onto a mid-palate of considerable force. Citrus is more in evidence as a flavour component
here, freshening the palate and providing a welcome counterpoint to other, richer fruit
flavours. There’s a brightness to this wine, not acid-driven but simply as a result of its happy
flavours, that is deeply gratifying, like the smile of a handsome stranger. Flavours become
progressively more savoury and the palate tightens through the finish with a lick of
phenolics and a shake of fresh herbs.
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Food :: Temperature |
Food Pairing Notes
Scallops with Jerusalem artichoke puree and freshly shaved truffles. Serve at 10–13°C.
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Best drinking | |
Downloadable PDF |