Les Fruits 'Rudy' Chardonnay 2022

Rudy is sourced from a small co-farmed block of just over 1 hectare of 38-year-old Chardonnay vines deep in the Piccadilly Valley that I was leasing with another local winemaker. Treated with great care along the whole journey – hand harvesting, chilling overnight, gentle whole bunch pressing and a light settling ensure the finest juice goes into barrel for fermentation.

A slightly tighter expression this year but still with the trademark generosity, perhaps a little more on the fruit in its youth. I feel its the best expression yet, and the second last release from this vineyard. Crystal clear when stood up, the last glass will show a little fine sediment/softening of the brightness showing its unfiltered, unfined pedigree. Delicate lemon and grapefruit tones with light white and yellow florals and white spice. Definitely more high toned and no sign of the usual nuttiness. Beautiful concentrated palate and more classic Rudy with its mid palate softness/slipperyness and sweet generous ripe citrus and apple tones. Still with its savoury slightly salty minerality and mineral toned acidity. Some lightly drying phenolics reign in the finish and together with the acidity and fruit concentration suggest the best is yet to come although it is hard to put the glass back down now. Winery note