Toolangi’s ‘Block’ wines are produced from the most privileged, low-yielding parcels of the Dixon’s Creek vineyard. In particular, the F Block Chardonnay is cropped from the vineyard’s highest and coolest area, abutting the Toolangi State Forest. The soils here are relatively shallow and rockier, resulting in low yields of intensely flavoured fruit complemented by lovely natural energy. Simply, this block—home to 19-year-old vines of the Gin Gin clone—has been identified as growing the best of the best Chardonnay that this Toolangi produces. On last year’s release (2019) we noted that we had tasted many a Burgundy of lesser quality. In a slightly deeper and layered guise, the new release is every bit as exciting.
The 2020 was hand-picked on 14th March and whole-bunch pressed with full solids straight to oak (30% new). Both primary fermentation and (partial) malolactic were powered by wild yeasts. The wine then spent eight months on lees before bottling.