2021 Beckstoffer zum Kalon Vineyard RBS

A cold and rainy spring led to a late frost that devastated the Chardonnay crop. However, the end of June brought a weeklong heat wave of 35-40°C that helped kickstart the period of bloom. July was calm and moderate with little rain. Set was complete, even, and recordbreaking in its potential yield where vines had been unaffected by the frost. This came very late and forecasted a Chardonnay harvest that could come no earlier than the last week of September.

The grapes were picked to maximize freshness and tension in the finished wine. 67% Whole cluster pressed, 33% crushed and then
pressed, settled in tank for 24 hours on average, then barrel fermented in a combination of 26% new, 600 liter puncheons
and 74% old French oak barriques and puncheons from diverse coopers. Full malolactic fermentation completed spontaneously in each barrel. After 11 months aging on lees, the wines were
combined in tank with their lees for five months prior to bottling.

95 pts - "Aromatics of dried chamomile, seaspray and lemon zest
transition to a palate that holds juicy Meyer lemon pulp, tangerine
rind and fresh-cut Granny Smith apples.”

Decanter, August 2024

The grapes were picked to maximise freshness and tension in the finished wine. 67% Whole cluster pressed, 33% crushed and then pressed, settled in tank for 24 hours on average, then barrel fermented in a combination of 26%new, 600-litre puncheons and 74% old French oak barriques and puncheons from diverse coopers. Full malolactic fermentation completed spontaneously in each barrel. After 11 months aging on lees, the wines were combined in tank with their lees for five months prior to bottling.