2023 Apricus Hill Chardonnay

Apricus Hill, established in 1995, is the highest vineyard in Denmark on Western Australia’s south coast.  At 750 feet above sea level and with panoramic views of the Southern Ocean the vineyard experiences a true maritime effect with cooling ocean breezes making it a true “cool climate” vineyard.

Chardonnay juice is barrel fermented in a mixture of new and second use French oak barriques.

We use several yeast strains, including wild yeast, to add to the layers of complexity.

A small proportion of the barrels are lees stirred weekly, and allowed to undergo the secondary malolactic fermentation, introducing a savoury and textural intensity to the finished wine.

The wine spends approximately 11 months in barrel before minimal fining and bottling.

A brilliant, fresh, green straw colour.

A complex, perfumed nose of citrus and fresh nectarines balanced by toasty French oak and a savoury cashew barrel ferment character.

The use of free-run juice has produced an impressively elegant cool climate chardonnay, achieving a perfect balance between delicate fruit flavours, texture and length.

Initial flavours of grapefruit and stone fruit lead to a richer and more textured mid palate that finishes with lingering citrus acidity balanced by spicy French oak.