Gentle Folk Ashton Chardonnay 2022

Gentle Folk Ashton Chardonnay 2022
Fifth release from 0.8ha block in Ashton. Ric's Vineyard Ashton, planted 1996, I10V1 clone. 500m above sea level with a Northerly aspect on light loamy clay over sandstone with extensive schist and quartz rubble.

Whole bunches were crushed and pressed into tank for settling overnight before racking off solids to barrel. 11 months in French and Austrian oak, 20% of which is new, prior to a further 3 months in tank before bottling. 

Ashton being further North than Piccadilly with the Northern exposure often can lead to wines that show warmth, this is certainly not the case here - attention to detail in both the vineyard initially, then care and precision in the vineyard has allowed Gareth and Rainbo to craft a wine of intelligence and understanding of the subtle changes that the microclimates of the Adelaide Hills provide.

Aromatically intense, there are notes of yellow hued fruit, powerfully wrapped with that little high toned mint, and again white chocolate. This is a serious wine, jostling to break from the beautifully coiled, driven tension from a linear core of acidity. Whilst the biggest of the 3 Chardonnay's in 2022, it is also a masterclass in understanding picking date, allowing this wine to seamlessly carry power with tension that many others can and do miss.