The Porongurup sub-region of the Great Southern has long been the home of delicate, fine and mineral chardonnay, often overlooked in the search for fantastic Riesling. Over the years of making Chardonnay from the Porongurups we have been convinced that the quality and style expressed from these vineyards is unique and world class.

This comes down to the soils and climate of the region. Geologically ancient and diverse, the complexity of gneiss, quartz and feldspar volcanic minerals on the range shoulders is interspersed with the more widely spread lateritic “ironstone” gravels and karri loams on the higher wetter sites. Approximately 50km north of the Southern Coast, there is a discernable continentality in the region with colder nights and warmer days, with there being a 200mm annual rainfall difference between the north side (drier) and the south.

The vineyard we have chosen is a wonderful mix of beautiful dirts, vine age (26 years old) and experienced management. Owned and worked by those who micro-manage the vines, not one leaf, cane or berry is out of place or substandard. Low cropping (2-4t/ha) really allows the terroir to shine.

Handpicked and whole bunch pressed direct to French oak puncheons (500L, 50% new), the whole juice was wild fermented and aged on lees for ten months before minimal SO2 was added. Malo-lactic fermentation is neither encouraged nor resisted. Released after 2 years in bottle, only 161 dozen made.

The 2019 Hallelujah Chardonnay was grown in a cooler year, though dry, which resulted in fine fruit flavours and precise acid backbone. This is a Hallelujah of great purity and poise, the fruit being intense with melon and citric notes, white flowers and almond biscuits. A bright crystalline almost slatey drive on the palate is more Chablis than Puligny in focus with honeydew, grapefruit and wheaten notes. Oak is subtle and structural balanced by fruit and acid, with long almondine, green pear and gunflint notes through the finish. A purists wine.