Wine Gentle Folk, “Village” Chardonnay, 2020

Introduction

Chardonnay is increasingly becoming a star in the Gentle Folk range, and Gareth Belton produces some of the most exciting wines from this grape variety in Adelaide Hills. One of these unique examples is the “Village” Chardonnay, which is a blend of Chardonnay from all the plots cultivated by Gareth and Rainbo. The grapes for this wine are grown on the sites “Scary Gully”, “Ashton” and vineyards near Piccadilly. “Scary Gully” with an area of 3 hectares is located at an altitude of 620 meters above sea level, on soils of sandstone, shale and quartz gravel with an upper light loamy-clayey layer. The vines were planted here in 1984, 1996 and 2006. Piccadilly vineyards are located at an altitude of 525-530 meters above sea level, they were planted with Chardonnay vines in 1983 and 1998. The vineyards have soils of crushed quartz, siltstone, sandstone and clay. Vineyard “Ashton” with an area of 1.1 hectares is located at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, it is dominated by light loamy-clay soil, covered with sandstone with extensive deposits of shale and quartz gravel. All vineyards adhere to organic methods of growing grapes.

The 2020 harvest exhibits an exceptionally developed fruit flavor in different areas with ample tannins to give structure and a clean, bright acidity as a base. This is one of the best Chardonnay harvests seen in the Adelaide Hills. Upon completion of natural fermentation with wild yeast, the wine undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged for 9 months in French and Austrian oak barrels of different sizes, 15% of which are new, “Village” Chardonnay has a wonderful balance of intense acidity and tannins. It’s not a flashy Chardonnay, but it’s inherently complex and enjoyable to drink. The wine is bottled without pasting and filtration, with a small addition of sulfur.