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AUSTRALIAN Innocent Bystander Chardonnay 2010
Producer
Founded in 2004 by Phil Sexton, Innocent Bystander is a Yarra Valley based estate producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alongside several other emerging varietals and blends.
Located in Healesville, the winery is an exercise in function over form, much like the strongly expressed views of its owners and winemaking team: “Make great wine for drinking and enjoying; not crowing over”. The fruit for the Innocent Bystander wines is sourced from vineyards in the Yarra Valley as well as selected vineyards throughout Victoria.
Vineyards
The fruit for this wine came from four different vineyards in the Yarra Valley: Sexton, Primavera, Shaws Road and Tarraford. The clones used were 95, Mendoza, 76, P58, 277 and 96. Harvest took place when the fruit was fully ripe with good acidity and fresh fruit flavours. Baume levels were between 12.8 to 13.2. Yields were around 7.5 tonnes per hectare.
Vintage Information
Above average spring rains mixed with cool, sunny days allowed for an even budburst and early uniform flowering. Warm summer days interspersed with mild rain harnessed delicate flavours at low sugars and crisp acid. Careful handling was essential in the vineyard and winery to capture optimum ripeness and quality. Harvest was from late February to early March 2010.
Vinification
Fruit was whole bunch pressed to tank and transferred to barrel after eight hours settling. Cultured yeast and a small parcel of indigenous yeasts were used. Barrel fermented at 20–24°C. Wine was lees stirred weekly, then monthly after May. 10% malolactic fermentation took place, due to higher than usual malic acid levels. The wine was aged in 100% oak for nine months, with a mixture of one, two and three year old French barriques.
Tasting Notes
Lemon zest, cashews, freshly picked white nectarines and river stones on the nose. The palate has granny smith apples and green pineapple. There is a bright crunchy acidity with some savoury hints.
| Vintage |
2010 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Chardonnay |
| Region |
Yarra Valley, Victoria |
| Winemaker |
Steve Flamsteed |
| Closure |
Stelvin |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
13%% |
