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It’s back. Roll out the red carpet. Chardonnay is not one of the first varieties we would associate with Pete Schell. Yet, Schell’s first Australian gig was at Mountadam Vineyards in the Eden Valley when this was a cool-climate, benchmark producer and Chardonnay was their best wine. So here we have the great man returning to his roots. The previous releases of this wine had been sourced from the now-lost Bowe Lees Loveys Vineyard at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills. The 2021 is the first release sourced from the Morialta Vineyard in Norton Summit, located on the western edge of the Adelaide Hills. The low-yielding, northeast-facing block is home to 20-year-old vines that run north-south, and everything is done by hand – from pruning and bunch thinning to harvest.
The handpicked fruit was picked in the cool of the morning and chilled overnight, then fully de-stemmed and crushed. The must was left to macerate for four hours before gently pressing to barrel for fermentation (approx. 70% new), followed by partial malo and resting for nine months on full lees with occasional stirring. It’s a terrifically classy and finely nuanced Chardonnay with fleshy white peach and nectarine complemented by focused, zesty freshness and beautifully integrated oak. Drink and be happy.