Yarra Valley saw a vintage of mixed fortunes, with very low yields, but overall a quality of a very high standard. Large healthy canopies and low crops meant that vintage kicked off early. The slowing in maturity gave the fruit ripe seeds, and concentrated and rich flavours.

Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2016 saw 100% hand picked fruit. Whole bunch pressed with free run and pressings portions kept separate. Indigenous fermentation in new and seasoned French barriques and puncheons. Barrels were lees stirred monthly until winter. No malolactic fermentation, to retain a fresh, natural acidity. With 9 months French oak maturation before bottling.

“Wild-fermented in new and used French barriques, matured for 9 months. White peach blossom is first out of the blocks on the bouquet and the palate alike, then it gets interesting as other white fruits shimmy with grapefruit, almond kernel and cashew also craving attention. It is a Chardonnay that floats airily over, not in, the glass.”
95 Points – James Halliday Wine Companion 2017