Details
In the Bottle
| Vintage | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Grape Variety | 100% chardonnay grapes grown on Stephen and Prue Henschke’s Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. |
| Technical Details | Harvest Date: 27 February-7 March | Alcohol: 13% | pH: 3.07 | Acidity: 6.6g/L |
| Maturation | Whole bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented and aged in 45% new and 55% seasoned French barriques for 10 months with lees stirring. |
| Background | Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke and his wife Prue purchased the property in the Adelaide Hills in 1981. At 550m, the Lenswood vineyards offer not only magnificent views over the traditional vine country but also higher rainfall and humidity at the right time of the year, cooler temperatures to retain high natural acidity, and still enough sunshine to fully ripen the grapes. The chardonnay vineyard, which consists of seven clones, has taken its name from Frederick Croft, an orchardist who took up a neighbouring property in 1938. |
| Cellaring Potential | Exceptional vintage, 15+ years (from vintage). |
Vintage 2009. September 2011, The Wine Front, Gary Walsh
Wheat, lovely spicy oak, almond, a slight aniseed perfume then into a fair burst of grapefruity flavour. Attractive style.
Vintage 2008. October 2011, Hot 100 South Australian Wines
A taste of flint in the cool tones of this creamy, food style wine which had a good line down the palate described as full, yet elegant.
Vintage 2008. June 2010, Nick Stock, Wine 100
A complex grapefruit pith and nectarine nose that has character and interest galore, with a gentle tropical edge here. Pretty ripe through the palate, plenty of weight and shows the potential of this vineyard... 92 points.
Vintage 2007. December 2007, Rick Allen, Gourmet Traveller
This is a wine with a touch of class about it-elegant and pristine, but with a lovely length and cool climate persistence. Flavours of nectarine, grapefruit and lemon, finishing with fine acid.
Vintage 2006. June 2007, Nick Stock, Adelaide Review
It delivers a rich spectrum of primary fruit, peaches, nectarines, poached pears and finer citrus at the edges. The palate is juicy and ripe, bristling with fresh zesty acidity, upbeat and rippling with intense flavour. This has drive, confidence and cut, a strong core of nectarines and citrus fruit, some cram through the finish, tempered with finesse. World class!
Vintage 2005. May 2007, Ralph Kyte Powell, The Age
Well-made drop, richly endowed with white stone fruit, cashew and creamy notes, and seasoned with classy oak. The mellow palate is seamless, persistent and harmoniously put together.
Vintage 2005. 28 July 2006, Adelaide Review
…There's plenty of ripe stone fruit on offer, all nectarine and peach, followed by baking spices, warm freshly-baked bread and gentle hints of barrel fermentation. The palate is full, rich and round with assertive flavours, density and richness...
Vintage 2004. August 2007, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
Gentle nectarine, white peach and French oak all coalesce on the medium-bodied palate; nice touch of minerality on the finish. Rating 93/100.