Southern Light Vineyards Healesville ‘Lightfall Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2024

The Lightfall Vineyard which provided the fruit for this Chardonnay is located at Healesville in the Yarra Valley. The vines were planted in 1984, all clone P58. The vineyard was harvested across two picks, a week apart. After whole bunch pressing to French oak barrels, a mix of 300- and 500-litres, one-quarter of them new, the juice underwent a wild yeast ferment and then spent a year maturing on lees. There was no malolactic fermentation. Straw/yellow in colour, this is taut, tight and poised. The nose reveals notes of lemon curd, a flick of spicy oak, florals, stonefruits, lemongrass and spices. There is good intensity here which continues for the full length. A flick of spicy oak is evident along with juicy acidity. A well balanced wine which will offer immense pleasure over the next six to eight years.