Chardonnay '25

Haiku

fresh almond croissant
mandarin / honeysuckle
tension & focus

Winemakers notes:

Our 2025 Chardonnay was hand-picked in pristine condition on February 23rd. The grapes were whole bunch pressed with half the juice going straight to barrel to ferment wild with full solids.  The other half went to stainless steel over night and was racked into barrel the following morning. All barrels were fermented dry and underwent full malolactic fermentation. The final blend consisted of 22% new oak.

Like all Zaria Chardonnays the MO is to integrate all the elements a fine Chardonnay can offer. Primary fruit flavours of stone fruit and citrus, subtle oak influence providing texture and more complex flavours, the use of malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity and provide the brioche like characters MLF can bring. Finally, the subtle flinty mineral edge that originates from the wild fermented full solid portion of the blend.

A bright full entry onto the palate gives way to an array of lovely grapefruit, and mandarin flavours. A taut acid line provides length and intensity and helps carry all the grapefruit and orange pith, almond croissant, honey suckle and spice. An edgy mineral finish leaves you salivating for the nest sip. An energetic wine that, whilst drinking nicely now, will benefit from time in bottle.

Vineyard: Lesley’s Vineyard
Sub region: Bridge Pa Triangle
Variety/Clone: Chardonnay 548

Alcohol: 13.3%
pH: 3.33
TA: 7.3 g/L

Reviews:

TBA