Vat 63 Chardonnay Semillon is made entirely from the HVD vineyard which is situated between two dry creek beds and features free-draining, sandy soils over coarse river sand.. It is comprised of 80% Chardonnay (planted in 2003) and 20% Semillon (planted in 1908).
The autumn and winter months of 2020 saw the worst drought in a generation be broken with substantial rainfall, we led into an outstanding growing season for the 2021 vintage. A cool summer then gave us even, stress-free ripening with some heat around Australia Day that was perfectly timed at the final stages of ripening. With an early budburst and later than normal harvesting, the fruit had a longer than normal hang time, which meant that all of the fruit had wonderful flavours balanced by a high natural acidity. Both of the varieties were vinified separately before being blended in June. The Chardonnay component spent its time in mostly older French oak barriques and the Semillon was made in a traditional unwooded style.
The result is a wonderfully balanced white wine, showing rich Chardonnay fruit characters that are curbed by the elegance, length, and acidity that Semillon brings. Very much a Hunter Valley white more than anything else, a wine with a sense of place.
Alcohol – 12.5 %
Cellaring – 2–8 years
