d'Arenberg The Stumps Jumps Chardonnay 2023 x 12

 The Winemaking
 The grapes used in this wine underwent 
gentle crushing, temperature controlled 
fermentation and basket pressing prior to 
bottling.  
Chief Winemaker Chester Osborn
 The Vintage
 The preceding winter was beautifully wet, 
f
 lushing the soil of salts and filling the    
soil profile. Spring too was above average, 
with rainfalls up until November which 
was almost completely dry. November was 
hotter than normal which upset the setting 
of berries. Just as well as the bunch number 
was way up. Two inches of rain    
in early February was much appreciated 
by the relatively large crops. Where crops 
where smaller, berry size grew. The heat 
produced a fast flowering, set, and speedy 
berry development leading to an early 
veraison and the equal earliest start of 
vintage on record. A few days in a row 
around 35°C in February rapidly ripened 
early lower cropping vineyards. From then 
on, the vintage was mild and dry. Average 
temperatures for autumn were down. Some 
nice 30°C days late March and early April 
helped finish ripening of bigger crops and 
late ripening varieties. 
The Wine
 Pale straw-green, exceptionally fruit driven 
with a fluid line of white peach, nectarine, 
green apples and honeydew melon. The 
controlled use of seasoned oak makes this 
wine generous and fresh with a mouth 
coating nutty and slightly smoked texture of 
hazelnut and almonds. Citrusy acidity with 
a crunchy bite are followed by a long and 
savoury finish. A well-crafted Chardonnay 
for all Chardonnay lovers.