2019 Weaver Single Vineyard Lenswood Chardonnay

Crop levels of 0.9kg/vine were well below our long-term average for our 2019 Weaver Single-Vineyard Lenswood Chardonnay. It was another early-ripening year, partly caused by the very low crop load. When we reached full flavour development, we handpicked the fruit in cool weather of 6th March.
Heat degree day (HDD) summation for the year was 1250, close to our long-term average of 1270 HDD. After an unusually hot January (370 HDD) véraison occurred on 9th February. Mild conditions thereafter were crucial for flavour development and acid retention. My view is that pre-véraison weather is not significant in flavour development but post véraison conditions are crucial. Our vines are now 36 years old and show the benefits of maturity with modest vigour, low crops and an extensive root system. They are able to sail through hot weather with no negative effect.
The growing season was dry with 175mm of rain October to March, below our long-term average of 229mm. Disease pressure was consequently low and we were able to harvest ripe, healthy grapes.
Grapes were picked into crates and we pre-chilled the fruit to below 5˚C for whole-bunch pressing. The juice was settled and racked to barrels with some solids. The juice underwent wild-yeast ferment, which lasted for three weeks and continued to dryness. All barrels were left on lees for 12 months, and a quarter were innoculated for malolactic conversion. Lees stirring aided the extraction of the creamy, nutty yeast lees elements in the wine. The 2019 Chardonnay spent 12 months in French oak barriques, all from forests in Vosges and the centre of France. Half of the oak was new and the balance was second use. Alcohol 13.5%; pH 3.04; TA 8.1g/L.
The nose is fresh, fine, complex and understated with subtle cream, nuts and peach overtones. The palate is crisp and tight with a supple mid-palate before a drying, savoury and faintly textural edge at the fine-acid finish. It’s a wine of excellent depth of flavour which is lovely to drink in its youth and will evolve in time to show its best. – Geoff Weaver