The Apex Twin 2022
Oakridge The Apex Twin Chardonnay is a special single barrel release that expresses nature and nurture at its zenith. It exquisitely reflects the unique character of a distinguished Yarra Valley vineyard, the craft of winemaking and the art of selection. For two decades, Chief Winemaker David Bicknell has searched for perfection. The Apex Twin defines a philosophy that purity, resonance and energy form the essence of the world's greatest chardonnays. *Members please login for pre-release access.*
Wine Details
Region Yarra Valley
State Victoria
Wine Type White Wine
Variety Type Chardonnay
Alcohol Percentage 13.5%
Background
"it's not a limited release, it's an exclusive release" Just 576 bottles produced.
Tasting Notes
"Pale yellow colour. Lovely intense nectarine, peach, lemon curd aromas with underlying vanilla, hint of marzipan, lanolin notes. Beautifully balanced, crunchy and pure with fresh ripe yellow nectarine, peach, lemon pastille fruits, fine lacy/chalky - slight al-dente textures - superb mid-palate creaminess/volume, and underlying vanilla, roasted almond tonic water notes. Finishes bittersweet and crispy/flinty. This is a superbly crafted ultra-fine Yarra Valley chardonnay that evokes the best of winemaking precision, creative flair and selection. The Apex Twin 2022 is David Bicknell's grand and ever-evolving curiosity; a wine that distills the complexity of the Funder & Diamond Vineyard's Drive Block terroir while offering a masterclass in hedonistic refinement. Share now or hold for just a few years to enjoy all the fascinating detail and layers of flavour." - Andrew Caillard MW
Vineyard Notes
The unirrigated 1990-established Funder & Diamond Vineyard, located in the Upper Yarra Valley, is the source of The Apex Twin Chardonnay 2022. At prime maturity, this Oakridge managed and sustainably farmed vineyard is planted with the highly valuable P58 Chardonnay clone. Of particular note is the low-yielding Drive Block, a 0.66 hectare patch of vines that outperformed neighbouring blocks in the 2022 vintage. Anchored in ancient and healthy red volcanic soils, these chardonnay vines produce fruit with superb aromatics, pure fruit flavours and high tensile acidity.
Winemaker's Notes
A single barrel selection from the Funder and Diamond Vineyard's Drive Block. The wine was vinified and matured in the same two-year-old French oak puncheon. After completion of fermentation the yeasts expired and settled to the bottom of the barrel, forming an under blanket of lees. A clear resonating wine with a fine-boned structure is revealed, but over the next 21 months of barrel maturation these lees interact with the wine; imbuing subtle flavours and promoting oak integration.
