Wines

Bress wines are produced from grapes that have been grown using biodynamic farming practices.  This fruit is then handcrafted to reflect the varietal characters and the sense of place that each parcel of fruit expresses.

2010 Gold Chook Macedon Chardonnay

The Name
Whilst living and winemaking in the Yarra Valley, I discovered the joys of breeding and showing chickens.  This passion led me to visit France in 1996 to witness first hand their traditional methods of breeding chickens and I dedicate our wines to the famous chickens of France and what they represent – artisan production using traditional, age old methods.

The Vineyard
This Chardonnay was grown at the Mount Macedon vineyard.  The Mount Macedon vineyard is situated 650 metres above sea level and is one of the coolest sites in the Macedon Ranges. The vineyard is subject to particularly cool mornings due to hillside shading which results in a prolonged growing season, which produces intensely flavoured fruit. The vines are 20 years old and were caned pruned and crop thinned to produce crops of less than 1.5 tonnes to the acre.  
It is this low-cropped fruit that has, in large part, produced such a full flavoured wine.

Winemaking
My winemaking belief is that good fruit should be treated gently and with minimal intervention.  The Bress 2010 Macedon Chardonnay was treated in this manner.  A combination of whole bunch and gently crushed fruit were pressed directly to new and seasoned French oak hogsheads.  Fermentation was conducted on 100 percent solids and by only indigenous yeast.  Malolactic fermentation was not encouraged and the wine spent 11 months in barrel and was stirred rarely. Prior to bottling the wine was not fined and was given minimal filtration to ensure maximum retention of the fine flavours inherent in this wine.

Tasting Notes

Colour: A vibrant and pristine medium golden straw with green tinges.

Aroma: The wine offers a complex array of fruit aromas of white peach and nectarine. The oak aromas are of char and vanillian spice.

Palate: The wine is tightly packed full of fine fruit flavours of grapefruit and other citrus. Lees stirring has ensured that the oak characters are beautifully integrated into the wine, giving the wine structure and adding power, balance and a savoury richness.

Whilst enjoyable now, this wine will reward careful cellaring for up to 5 years.

Please enjoy this traditionally made hand crafted wine.