Meadowbank Chardonnay 2023

Meadowbank Chardonnay is a chiselled Derwent Valley Chardonnay from a low-yielding year.

Yields fell considerably in 2023 and concentration went the other way; Peter Dredge puts this among the best Chardonnays he has made, which is not a small claim. The fruit is P58 off vines in their thirties, growing in loose sand and sandstone over iron-rich coffee rock. Two picking passes at slightly different ripeness levels kept enough acidity in the blend to balance the clone. Whole bunches were pressed to French puncheons for fermentation, and the proportion of new wood was lifted to 20 per cent to meet the density of fruit that a year like this produces.

Focused and rocky, layered with citrus, white flowers and crunchy stone fruit, the whole thing pulled tight by mouth-watering cool-climate acidity. The finish tapers and hums with slaty drive. Serve at 12 degrees with grilled scampi, roast chicken, or a gruyere tart.

*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.