2022 Patrick Underwood 'Dash Farms' Chardonnay

About The Wine

The vines were planted in 1999 and grow high on the western slopes of Leanganook with a north-south orientation. The soils are Harcourt granite-derived colluvium (quartz and fine- to medium-grain feldspar sand). These rows sit at around 477 metres in elevation and are farmed by David Braybrook.

The 2022 vintage was not easy for grape farmers across the state, with a cold, wet growing season coupled with late-season rain making for difficult decisions throughout. Yields were significantly down across Harcourt Valley and Faraday.

The scarce Chardonnay at Dash Farms in 2022 developed beautiful flavours with gorgeous perfume and pleasingly high acidity. The fruit was harvested by hand on 21st March, gently pressed as bunches and settled overnight. Fermentation and a further 12 months of maturation took place in lightly seasoned Slavonian demi-muid, as well as older French puncheon and barrique. It underwent a further eight months of maturation in tank, with some lees remaining in contact, before being bottled in late October 2023.

Review

“Well, here’s a very beautiful wine. It’s floral, saline, spicy, green olive and white peach, fennel, lime and mandarin. It’s fine, flinty and lightly chalky, nutty and slightly sake-like too, and it de- livers flavour with such finesse and grace. It’s pure and long, and just a flat out wonderful thing to drink. Bright and beautifully made. That lick of salinity on the finish is so mouth-watering and inviting. Yes.” 95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

About Little Reddie

You won’t find a more dedicated, thoughtful and meticulous winemaker than Patrick Underwood. Pat works with unique vineyards in Central Victoria; from dry-grown plots in Malmsbury, to obscure plantings of indigenous Venetian varieties in Colbinabbin, to iron-rich sites planted to mineral Nebbiolo. His relationships with his growers are fiercely warm and tight, sharing ethics and values towards the land. In the cellar, Pat’s approach is one of passion, intuition and minimal intervention.

Region: Central Victoria

Country: Australia

Alcohol: 13%

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml

Closure: Cork

Varietal: Chardonnay