2022 Garagiste Tuerong Chardonnay

Tuerong is back on board after a brief hiatus. This site is always first cab off the rank for picking at Garagiste, and can be harvested as early as two weeks before Merricks--highlighting the impact of aspect for grape growing on the Peninsula. Like the Merricks Chardonnay, this was hand-harvested, hand-sorted and whole-bunch pressed, followed by natural primary fermentation with high levels of solids in François Frères 500-litre puncheons (20% new). A small portion went through natural malolactic fermentation and the wine then rested on full gross lees for 10 months before bottling.

The 2022 Tuerong Chardonnay is almost athletic in expression--lithe and elegant but not lacking in lean muscle. It's saline and mineral driven, with pithy grapefruit and summer citrus rippling through a tightly coiled structure. There's a doughy/leesy character that lends complexity and mouthfeel, and the balance struck here with the mineral and citric drive is on point. It finishes with power and drive--welcome back Tuerong!