{"product_id":"ashbrook-estate-margaret-river-chardonnay-2025-14-750ml","title":"Ashbrook Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2025 14% 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAshbrook Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2025 14% 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2025 VINTAGE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2024 winter rainfall was delayed until May 29th but finished strongly with a record\u003cbr\u003e259mm in August, replenishing soil moisture and setting vines up well for the growing\u003cbr\u003eseason. Moderate spring temperatures and 123.6mm of rainfall assisted the transition\u003cbr\u003einto summer with healthy canopies carrying decent yields. The summer months saw\u003cbr\u003eaverage daily temperatures in the mid to high twenties consistently accompanied by\u003cbr\u003eafternoon sea breezes. This long, even growing season allowed fruit to develop steadily,\u003cbr\u003epreserving acidity and freshness. Our biggest challenge this season was bird pressure.\u003cbr\u003eAfter an abundant Marri tree blossom in the summer of 2024, it fell absent this year.\u003cbr\u003eNetting was imperative to keep the Silvereye birds and other local wildlife at bay. Vintage\u003cbr\u003e47 began on February 14th with Verdelho, followed by Riesling on the 15th and then\u003cbr\u003eChardonnay not until the 19th due to crop size and a slower early ripening period. Leading\u003cbr\u003einto the red harvest, conditions remained ideal with classic, cool autumnal nights and\u003cbr\u003emild to warm, sunny days. Our last Petit Verdot and Cabernet grapes were safely in the\u003cbr\u003ewinery by March 25th before any real rainfall. In summary, thanks to a wet winter,\u003cbr\u003ebeautifully moderate, dry growing season and harvest, the 2025 vintage is shaping up to\u003cbr\u003ebe exceptional. Wines across the board are showing a balance of fruit purity, tannin\u003cbr\u003eripeness and natural acidity reminiscent of 2018, albeit in less quantities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINEYARD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe “Old Chardonnay” Gin-Gin clone cuttings were collected from the Agricultural\u003cbr\u003eDepartment ‘Source Block’ in the Swan Valley and 2 blocks were planted in 1976. After\u003cbr\u003eestablishing its ultimate suitability to the region and increased demand, blocks 3 \u0026amp; 4\u003cbr\u003ewere planted in the early 80’s from the original vines on the Estate as well as a small\u003cbr\u003eblock of ‘Clones 3 \u0026amp; 5’ collected from the Leeuwin Estate vineyard. Originally all grown\u003cbr\u003eon a spur-pruned, VSP trellis, the vineyard was converted to cane pruned and +70%\u003cbr\u003elyre trellis in the mid 90’s with immediate and brilliant results. Coupled with the\u003cbr\u003eapplication of composted mulch over the years, the vineyard shows remarkable health\u003cbr\u003eand balance producing super premium fruit year in year out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWINEMAKING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur five blocks of mature Chardonnay vines were harvested over several days to\u003cbr\u003ecapture the optimal flavour profiles of each block. All fruit was hand-picked in the cool\u003cbr\u003eof dawn, immediately destemmed and pressed and the juice settled in temperature controlled stainless-steel tanks. As is our tradition, half the Chardonnay underwent primary fermentation in a bespoke selection of brand-new, premium French oak\u003cbr\u003ebarriques (8 different cooperages) and the remaining half in stainless steel. Both\u003cbr\u003eportions were matured on undisturbed lees for eight months. MLF and battonage were\u003cbr\u003eavoided to retain the primary fruit flavours and freshness crucial to Ashbrook’s style of\u003cbr\u003eChardonnay. After blending, stabilization, filtration and bottling the wine was further\u003cbr\u003ematured in our underground, climate-controlled cellar until release. (VF)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ashbrook Estate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42316480446697,"sku":"ASHCHA20-1","price":37.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2435\/3999\/files\/AshbrookEstateMargaretRiverChardonnay2022.jpg?v=1705635038","url":"https:\/\/thewineprovidore.com.au\/products\/ashbrook-estate-margaret-river-chardonnay-2025-14-750ml","provider":"The Wine Providore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}