Barratt Uley Chardonnay 2022

After three seasons of low crop levels, Mother Nature smiled on Barratt in 2022 providing not only more bunches but fruit of exceptional quality. Grapes were hand harvested from 38 year old vines in the Uley vineyard at the northern end of the Piccadilly Valley.

Whole bunch pressed with the juice transferred to tank for settling over 4 days. Clear juice and a measured amount of solids were then transferred to French oak barriques, 30% of which were new, 20% second use, 20% third and the rest older. After a few days of natural warming, wild fermentation by indigenous yeasts commenced and continued throughout the whole of the ferment period. 100% malolactic in barrel. Matured in oak for 11 months.

“Creamy, waxy yeast-lees influenced aromas, clean and fresh, with crusty bread and cashew cream overtones, while the palate is intense and focused, firm and dry with some tannin grip firming the finish. A stylish wine, and even better with food. ” – 93 pts – The Real Review