2008 Eldridge Estate Chardonnay Clone 96
Clone 96 Chardonnay is only released, as a separate bottling, in years that we think are outstanding.
This wine opens with stone fruit and melon on the nose. French oak and the malolactic fermentation add to the complexity of the aroma.
The palate opens with rich oak and broadens to melon and peach. A long palate and clean finish make this a real experience.
Food match: Salt and pepper clamari
David investigated 2 different wine making techniques with this small batch of Clone 96. Half the fruit was destemmed and 8 hours later was pressed. The remaining fruit was whole bunch pressed as we normally do. Each batch of juice was then transferred to a one year old barrel for fermentation and ageing. Two thirds of the whole bunch pressed wine and one third of the destemmed wine was blended to make the one barrel of clone 96 bottled under this label.
The remaining wine was blended into the 2008 Estate Chardonnay.
Vintage: 2008
Chemistry: 14% Alcohol by Volume, pH 3.5 and Total Acid of 6.3g/L