Prior to the production of this wine, it was with some delight that we learned demand for good Aussie Chardonnay was on the rise again… hopefully the start of something massive. The label reflects word-of-mouth with a bunch of hipster types sharing the news of the next big thing, a real vineyard find, proper stuff with bags of varietal appeal but lovely texture too. Aussie chardonnay has made a comeback... and this is a cracking wine to start the revolution!
Production
Grapes are hand harvested from an old block on the Binder family Barossa vineyards. Small batches of Chardonnay are picked and pressed through a tank press with some skin contact. 25% is fermented in French puncheons and American hogsheads for 6 months, aged on lees then blended with the 75% unoaked juice, settled and bottled. Into the main Barossa blend a small component of Eden Valley Chardonnay is blended and the whole sees a tiny bit of secondary use oak for some fine structure.
Smalltown Vineyards The Next Big Thing Chardonnay, 2021 (6 bottle case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
With the faintest whiff of biscuity oak this bright, tangy Barossa Chardonnay is an absolute delight. It has that classical Barossa charm, elegance, poise, tang and naggingly more-ish elusive something-or-other which makes one wonder why there isn't more Australian Chardonnay. The 2015 enjoys all of the notes above with added texture and breadth making this vintage foodier still.
Food match
Anything with chicken, pork, prawns, seafood... Brilliant as a quaffer or perfect with a lovingly cooked meal.
Info
-
ABV
13%
-
CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
-
REGION/COUNTRY
BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA
-
GRAPE
CHARDONNAY 100%
-
CLOSURE
SCREWCAP
-
WINEMAKER
CHRISTA DEANS-BINDER
-
APPELLATION
BAROSSA VALLEY
-
ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
-
Meet the producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours.We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
){kind=link}