Stargazer Chardonnay 2025

Stargazer Chardonnay 2025 The 2025 Stargazer is a mix of Sam's own vineyard, Palisander, planted in 2017, as well as the Marengo vineyard in Richmond, and the Brinktop vineyard in Penna. Palisander was planted to 4 different clones of Chardonnay, 76,95,96 and 548 over brown dermosol soils on Jurassic dolerite. Marengo was also planted in 2017 to 95 clone on white silica sand soils over sandstone and clay. Hand harvested prior to whole bunch pressing directly to oak for wild fermentation in Mercurey French oak Puncheons of which 23% were new. 100% Malolactic fermentation, with 10 months in oak on lees prior to 8 months in tank before bottling. Soaring aromatics of lime zest, white chocolate, grilled nuts and white orchard fruits are at the forefront of this powerfully poised release from Sam Connew, it's a more immediate expression than past iterations, the reduction toned down beautifully, with the fruit and some wood spice at the fore. It certainly has presence in its core of fruit, yet it's driven by an undercurrent of fresh, nervous acidity that carries a lovely fanning textural finish with aplomb. Another exceptional release from one of Australia's Tassie gurus.