YABBY LAKE VINEYARD Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula
This Chardonnay is a blend of different clones, typically around half Mendoza (or Hen-and-Chicken), from different vineyard blocks within the much larger Yabby Lake estate vineyard at Tuerong in the northern sector of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The prevailing soil type is sandy clay loam with ironstone.
Fruit parcels are handpicked and handled separately in the winery, with minimal intervention. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed and transferred, with solids, into tight-grained, 500-litre French oak puncheons (20% new) for natural fermentation. The wine subsequently matures on lees in the same barrels for (usually) 11 months and does not go through malolactic fermentation. This preserves its refreshing acidity and taut structure.
Yabby Lake says: ‘Our philosophy is to craft a Chardonnay of great purity, reflecting our site and the season in which it was grown. It’s the attention and care in the vineyard that is most critical to allowing that expression’.
Mid-depth lemon-straw. Aromas of citrus and cashew lead into a fine, slightly coiled palate showing grapefruit and toast underpinned by citrus acidity. Attractive creamy texture builds to a long finish. Drink now-2018.
The epitome of modern Australian Chardonnay, fruit, oak and natural acidity seamlessly woven together into a wine that will always have an element of restrained delicacy, but will flourish mightily with five years in bottle, and live much longer. 96 points, Wine Companion.
The Mornington Peninsula is located approximately one hour south of Melbourne. A cool maritime climate,the region is virtually frost free, but is susceptible to high winds. Rainfall is moderate, throughout winter and the growing season. Most of the vineyards are located between just above sea level and 200 metres. Soils range from weathered volcanic soils to sandy loams and friable well-drained clays. Mornington Peninsula is best known for making elegant cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and sublime Pinot Noir.
The Kirby family set up Yabby Lake in 1992, however, it wasn’t until 1998, that they located and planted their first vineyard site in the sub-region of Moorooduc, Mornington Peninsula. Under the winemaking helm of Tom Carson, Yabby Lake has built an enviable reputation for crafting impeccably balanced premium wines highly expressive of variety and site. Alongside the Yabby Lake estate label, several other ranges are produced including Heathcote Estate, and Yabby Lake’s early drinking second label Red Claw.
Red Claw is the highly-regarded ‘second-label’ of Yabby Lake. Its primary focus is the Mornington Peninsula, where Yabby Lake has 50 hectares of estate vineyards at Moorooduc. Red Claw makes ‘fresh, expressive wines from our own vineyards’ and strives for a quality image, but without complications. ‘For all our style’, they say, ‘there’s a whole lot of substance to back it up’. Red Claw’s Peninsula-sourced range comprises Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Red Claw Shiraz comes from Heathcote, where Heathcote Estate is part of the group.
