Introducing the 2023 HEYTESBURY Chardonnay
HEYTESBURY captures the essence of our most distinguished vineyard plots, a showcase of purity, precision and refinement. The 2023 vintage is a true collector’s edition, poised to age with grace.
This release of HEYTESBURY Chardonnay is defined by its impeccable balance, vibrant acidity, and brilliant pronounced flavours. From a modest season, excellent for Chardonnay, its distinctive savoury and taut citrus-driven profile is amplified with bright fruit. A quick splash through a decanter will unveil hints of flint and mineral characters if enjoying HEYTESBURY upon release, while the stylistic layers of savoury complexity will unfurl naturally over the next year and beyond.
The 2023 growing season began with a cool, dry spring, delaying vine development by 2-3 weeks. Intense effort went into shaping vine canopies for optimum sunlight, which set the grapes in great stead when the warmer weather finally arrived, enabling even veraison and ripening through the bunches. The vines flourished through mild and dry conditions until harvest between 15 February and 17 March.
The great story of this season was favourable yields and bunch weights for Chardonnay compared to the previous three years, which provided the winemakers a plethora of superb quality parcels.
Crafted from a meticulous selection of Gingin clone HEYTESBURY plots, (70% from our Gnarawary Vineyard in Wallcliffe, and 30% from the Home Vineyard in Wilyabrup), the fruit was hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and wild fermented, allowing the inherent power and palate texture of Gingin Chardonnay to shine. After maturing for nine months in French oak barriques (52% new), it spent an additional seven months’ harmonising on lees in tank.
Another momentous chapter of HEYTESBURY Chardonnay, continuing the legacy of this fabled wine, embodying precision, purity and an unrivalled sense of place.
Available now through our cellar door, online or from select fine wine retail stores and fine dining restaurants.