Byrne Farm Chardonnay 2021

Byrne Farm Chardonnay is a certified organic Chardonnay from Nashdale in Orange, picked in a cool, late season.

Harvest fell in early April, back to normal timing after the February pick of 2019 — a reminder of how far the season swings in a region this cool. Fruit comes from three plots in the Balmoral block, volcanic chocolate ferrosol at 880 metres on the northeast face of Mount Canobolas, the vines close to thirty years old. Whole-bunch pressed to 500-litre French puncheons, 30 per cent of them new: tight-grained Mâconnais wood used to sharpen focus without adding overt flavour. A fifth of the wine went through malolactic conversion for texture and to round off some acidity, then nine months in barrel with stirring every three weeks.

Fleshy citrus and preserved lemon with chalky salinity and a struck-match note, compact through the middle and driven at the close. Twelve degrees is the mark. Oysters, a whole baked snapper, or roast chicken with tarragon.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.