Atlas Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

Sourced from the Hill Smith Vineyard at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, this Chardonnay comes from an east-facing site at around 400 metres elevation, with a complex mix of alluvial loam, limestone, shale and quartz soils. The approach in the winery is deliberately hands-off, aiming to express the character of the vineyard rather than impose a preconceived style.

The grapes were hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed, with the juice transferred directly from the press into French oak puncheons for wild fermentation on full solids. After fermentation the barrels were topped, with no malolactic fermentation, and the wine remained on lees for nine months with regular stirring to build texture, depth and complexity before blending and bottling.

Lifted aromas of white peach, quince, lemon and grapefruit are complemented by subtle vanilla and oak spice. The palate is refined and elegant, combining white peach and citrus zest with creamy lees texture, fine acidity and smoky, nutty oak complexity. Crisp, refreshing and beautifully balanced, it finishes with both precision and length.