Oldenburg Vineyards, Chardonnay 2024

Description

Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Harvest: 26 January 2024 at 22.8° Balling
Technical Data: Alc 13.6% | RS 2.6 g/L | TA 5.5 g/L | pH 3.41
Maturation: 10 months in 24% new Burgundian oak barrels

At Oldenburg Vineyards, we believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Our intervention in the vineyards is minimal, to reflect the full potential of our mountain terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through our range of single cultivar wines. The confluence of the 8 Natural Elements that determine our unique terroir is explored through these wines and their real sense of place. The 8 elements are depicted on the intricate Oldenburg Vineyards Series label design. Wines made in an uncompromising manner, intending to showcase the finest characteristics of each cultivar.

WINEMAKING / MATURATION
Grapes were hand-picked in the early morning into small lug boxes and stored overnight in a cold room to preserve freshness. Whole bunches were pressed the following day and the juice racked to tank for overnight oxidative settling. The juice was then racked with a portion of light solids to barrel for spontaneous fermentation. Wild yeast alcoholic fermentation occurred over a period of 2 to 5 months, with partial malolactic fermentation taking place in barrel. During alcoholic fermentation, barrels were bâtonnaged twice weekly to build texture and complexity; following fermentation, barrels were rolled once a week to keep the lees in suspension. The wine was matured in barrel for 10 months before bottling in January 2025.

Production: 2638 cases of 6

TASTING NOTES
The 2024 vintage offers a beautifully balanced expression of Chardonnay, thanks to an ideal growing season that yielded wines with structure, harmony, and finesse. The wine was aged for 10 months in 24% new oak, resulting in a wine of quiet confidence, with purity and textural richness at its core. On the nose, orange blossom, lime, and a whisper of brioche introduce the wine with freshness and refinement. The palate is layered and expressive: white peach, roasted pineapple, bruised yellow apple, and a touch of roasted almond. There’s a lovely balance between zest and creaminess—a wine that coats the palate yet remains lifted and composed.

VINTAGE CONDITIONS
The 2024 growing season began with significant early rainfall, ensuring strong initial vine growth. However, from late September through mid-February, there was an extended dry spell with little-to-no rainfall. Warm summer temperatures accelerated the ripening of early cultivars, leading to lower yields. Despite these challenges, the dry conditions resulted in grapes of exceptional quality, with concentrated flavours and remarkable balance. This vintage promises a beautifully structured wine, showcasing depth, elegance, and a true reflection of Oldenburg Vineyards’ terroir.

Additional information

Butter poached lobster tail served on a bed of linguine with a creamy citrus and sage sauce.