Grey Label was selected from two blocks in the cool, high-altitude Piccadilly Valley subregion of the Adelaide Hills, particularly suited to high end Chardonnay. The climate benefits from occasional fog and cloud cover which, together with long bursts of gentle sunshine, allow for long, slow ripening and full flavour development, while retaining high natural acidity. A true reflection of the region’s terroir, this elegant, complex wine has a purity of fruit and delicate yet powerful flavours.
Fruit was hand picked in pristine condition and transported to the winery cool room to chill for 24 hours before whole bunch pressing. A late press cut was made to provide long phenolic texture and to complement the powerful fruit and acid line.
Varietal | Chardonnay |
---|---|
Vintage | 2022 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Piccadilly Valley |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 12% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2031 |
Winemaker | Marie Clay |
95 Points | Ray Jordan |
92+ Points | Campbell Mattinson |
Silver | 2023 Royal Queensland Wine Show |
White grapefruit and nectarine with supportive subtle oak, almond, nougat, cashew and notes of mineral flint.
A focused palate driven by a core of bright grapefruit and white nectarine that provides succulent flavour. Complemented by subtle phenolic texture and a long gentle acidity. Well integrated French oak gives complexity to the fruit core while the fine flinty edge adds another layer of interest and speaks of the provenance of this cool climate region.
Cool flowering conditions in November/December 2021 led to a lighter yield than typical. Growing conditions were favourable with healthy canopies established, protecting the delicate fruit. Summer of 2022 was considered cool, with ripening conditions near perfect to allow the gradual accumulation of flavours while retaining good natural acidity.
Wolf Blass winemaker Marie Clay discovered wine through her Dad's stellar collection of South Australian reds. Like all good fathers, he stocked up on the birth year of his two daughters. In Marie's case, that just happened to be a lovely bottle of 1979 Wolf Blass Black Label, which was cracked at her 21st birthday.
After graduating in 2000 from the University of Adelaide with first Class honours in Oenology, Marie received the Southcorp wine scholarship. This allowed her to travel and work with the company’s best winemakers across the Australian wine regions of Coonawarra, Barossa, Sunraysia and Great Western. Following these experiences, Marie worked with Lindeman’s for 4 years at both their NSW and Victorian wineries, overseeing white wine production.
In December 2006 Marie joined the Wolf Blass winemaking team in the Barossa, where she relished the opportunity to work with premium red wines from vineyard to bottle. She loves working in a modern winery that allows the fruit's potential to be realised. Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale, the heartland regions of the Grey Label range, are particularly close to her heart.