Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay 2018

Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay is the estate's flagship Chardonnay, from old vines at Mount Duneed.

The Rebenberg vineyard, ten kilometres southwest of Geelong, was first planted in 1858 and replanted by Ken and Joy Campbell in 1968; the Chardonnay went in during 1981, which makes it among the oldest in the region. Gravel and quartz soils and vine age together hold yields under 12 hectolitres per hectare, and Ray Nadeson credits that for the density and acid the site reliably delivers. He and Maree Collis named the wine for their daughter Allegra. The 2018 was hand-picked, pressed as whole bunches and fermented in barrel, went through full malolactic conversion, spent eleven months in new oak so the oak tannin could frame it, then three years in bottle.

Lemon curd, white peach and roasted hazelnut, with the new oak reading as structure instead of flavour and a long, saline close. There is a great deal of wine here. Serve at 12 to 13 degrees. Try it with roast chicken, lobster, veal or a well-aged Comté.

*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.