Background
"The Merricks Chardonnay fruit was hand-harvested and hand-sorted before it was whole-bunch pressed, then a natural primary fermentation with high levels of solids was in François Frères 500-litre puncheons (20% new). A small portion went through natural malolactic fermentation and the wine then rested on full gross lees for 10 months before bottling. Flanders seeks out slow and long lees interaction, choosing extended, gentle lees contact over bâtonnage for all his Chardonnays."
Tasting Note
"Merricks’ cooler tendencies are evident in this 2021 release. It’s teeming with aromas of citrus and crushed rocks with a mouth-watering, sappy herbal twist. There’s bright fruit coiled around a well-crafted core, providing a well-balanced wine with excellent intensity, juicy texture, flickering acidity and just enough phenolic grip, then a whisper of brine at the end. Young, but packed with potential."
