The 2023 vintage is widely reported to have been the most difficult and challenging in at least the past 20 years. A third La Niña event produced the wettest year since 2011 and the ninth wettest on record since 1900 for Australia in 2022, with rainfall totals 26 per cent above the 1961–1990 average. It was also Australia’s coolest
year since 2012, although average temperatures were 0.5 degrees C warmer than the 1961–1990 average. Persiste...
Firebird Chardonnay ‘Road Block’ 2023 ($40) – The fruit used here comes from a single block in an Adelaide Hills vineyard. After whole bunch pressing and fermentation with wild yeasts, the wine spent time in French oak for maturation. Presumably, this is named after the block within the vineyard where the fruit is sourced, rather than any traffic hassles they may have had getting the grapes to the winery.
Lemon/yellow in colour, there is lovely vanillin oak integration underway here and an appealing cashewy character is evident. The nose exhibits aromas of stonefruit and vanilla, but it is the textural aspects that really stand out. The wine is very well balanced with excellent length and is an impressive Adelaide hills Chardy. Good now, better in twelve months, and then can be drunk and enjoyed any time over the following three to five years. 93.
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