Xanadu Chardonnay 2001 Front Label
Xanadu Chardonnay 2001 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

The 2001 vintage was one of the driest experienced in the Margaret River region to date. The lead up to harvest was uneventful, with the region receiving mild, warm weather and very little rain to interrupt ripening. This resulted in clean and optimally conditioned Chardonnay fruit being hand harvested in late February, through to the first week in March. In recent vintages, quality permitting, we have taken the opportunity to maximize flavour and complexity through whole bunch pressing and full barrel fermentation on juice solids, in a selection of premier French barriques. Malolactic fermentation and regular lees stirring of the wine, which spent nine months in barrel, has also been integral in enhancing complexity. The wine is pale straw, and the bouquet is elegant and fresh with white peach and citrus fruits, a subtle yeasty character and hints of roasted almonds, nutmeg and spice. The palate is fine and savoury, offering white-fleshed stone fruits, quince and lemon zest flavours. A tightly structured wine, the fruit is balanced by crisp, integrated acidity layered with a creamy texture. The fruit flavours persist, culminating in a clean and dry, almost talc-like finish.
Xanadu Wines

Xanadu Wines

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One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.

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A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.

Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.

WAL474812_2001 Item# 53262