2024 'Black Sands' Chardonnay

The Vineyard

This vineyard is located a short distance to the west of the township of Heywood in western Victoria. Planted in 1990 by Alistair and Alice Taylor, the vineyard has produced some of the most interesting and pronounced chardonnay grown in Australia. The soil is a unique shallow blend of black volcanic sand and basalt over pure white limestone that runs deep.

The Vintage

The 2024 growing season in the Baw Baw Shire was exceptional, with plentiful rainfall followed by ideal sunshine, creating the perfect conditions for ripening. Characteristic low yields and mature vines resulted in wines with exceptional concentration, body, and complexity, showcasing vibrant acidity and minerality. Yields were significantly down compared to previous vintages, however the 2024 wines are a standout expression of the Patrick Sullivan style, marked by intensity, elegance and refinement.

Winemaking

The fruit was hand harvested into 450kg bins, chilled overnight and transferred to the winery, and then whole-cluster crushed into the press and drained off into the tank for settling. Primary fermentation took place in barrique (30% new) over three weeks followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Lees stirring occurred twice towards the end of primary fermentation then once more at the completion of malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged in barrique for 11 months.