Pooley Butcher’s Hill Chardonnay 2023

Product Information: This is an elegant and refined style of chardonnay that represents the best of its cool-climate character. It’s bolder than its Cooinda Vale sibling, but well proportioned with fine acid and minerality. It shows aromas of apricot and white nectar with subtle hints of flint and orchard fruits. Lifted lime on the palate joined by chalk minerality and delicate notes of buttered popcorn. Butcher’s Hill Chardonnay is artfully produced by leading light of Tasmania, Anna Pooley. The Butcher’s hill Chardonnay is typically hand-picked, Whole-bunch pressed to tank then racked to barrel. From then it’s barrel fermented (wild) for 20 days and receives 8 months maturation in 25% new French oak barriques (Sirugue, 36 month seasoned, Medium Toast, Fine Grain) with minimal lees stirring and 20% malolactic fermentation. Maker: Pooley Wines is a family-owned vineyard that was established in 1985 by Denis and Margaret Pooley, who planted vines on the banks of the Coal River in southern Tasmania. Initially, the vineyard was meant to be a retirement plan for the couple, but it soon turned into a passion project that flourished into a renowned premium cool-climate site. With the help of their son and grandchildren, three generations of the Pooley family have continued to bring meticulous care to their Cooinda Vale vineyard. In 2003, John Pooley and his wife Libby expanded their estate and established a second vineyard, Butcher’s Hill, with its first vintage produced in 2007. The passing of Margaret Pooley in 2010 marked a turning point for the family business, with Margaret’s granddaughter, Anna Pooley, returning to the family business in 2013. From this point onward, Pooley Wines has been made entirely by family hands. Today, more than 35 years after its establishment, Pooley Wines is recognised as one of Australia’s most renowned cool-climate producers. The Halliday Wine Companion awarded Pooley Wines the 2023 Winery of the Year, a testament to the family’s philosophy of making wines that reflect their unique environment while pushing the quality of the grapes and the wines even further. The Coal River Valley produces some of Australia’s finest wines, and Pooley Wines is at the forefront of this prestigious industry. Vineyard: The 2023 growing season started with budburst in September and continued with flowering in November. The vineyard experienced a lot of wind and rain during flowering which makes for very challenging conditions. Between October and December 2022, there was 230mm of rainfall at both of our vineyard sites. This would impact fruit set and reduce yields over all. Late December saw the rain disappear, leading away from the La Nina weather pattern and towards a drier, warmer El Nino period. It was a mild summer with no extremes of heat, whilst remaining warm. This is great for steady and slow development of flavour, acid, sugar, and tannin. All the elements that make for great quality wine. Butchers Hill Vineyard is a prominent feature of the Richmond landscape as it protrudes from its borders. This site’s steep north-facing slope means that it receives some very long sunlight hours, protection from cold southern winds, and increased soil drainage. The iron oxide deposits in the soils allows for heat and water to be held longer as they are darker and more clay based. These soil attributes also interact with the production of flavonoids in the fruit which typically produces complex robust wines. Nose – Nectarines, Toasted Biscuit, Pear An elegant and refined style of chardonnay that represents the best of its coolclimate character. Aromas of apricot and white nectar with subtle hints of flint and orchard fruits. Palate – Generous, Deep, Lean Acid Plenty of generosity and depth of character with a lean acid profile and seamlessly integrated oak. Finish – Chalk Minerality, Delicate, Buttered Popcorn Lifted lime on the palate joined by chalk minerality and delicate notes of buttered popcorn. (2020) Gorgeous chardonnay. Custard apples and custard powder, lime and white peach, a touch of grapefruit and a perfect seasoning of spicy oak. Such drive, such precision, such length. This is outstanding. – Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front. The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Chardonnay Country – Australia Region – Coal River Valley, Tasmania Vintage – 2023 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 12.5%