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2014 Kevin John Legacy Series Flower Barrel Chardonnay

The conditions for 2014 were near perfect and the fruit produced by all varieties in the vineyards of Cullen Wines in 2014 was exceptional. Extraordinarily low yields (1.37 tonnes/hectare) and ideal ripening conditions combined to create these wines of unprecedented provenance.

These low yields, fantastic pH and great acids levels translated in wines of great flavour and style. The Chardonnay grapes were hand harvested on fruit days from 38 year old vines.

They were then whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in Flower Day Barrels. By this we mean that the oak was harvested and coopered on a Flower Day according to the biodynamic calendar. We find this gives the wine a more minerality and line.

It underwent natural fermentation prior to receiving 7 months of oak maturation and was bottled directly from barrel.

 

Winemaker Notes

Vineyard:  100% Cullen Vineyard.
Varieties:  Chardonnay.
Harvest:  5th and 6th February. Fruit day
Oak:  100% for 7 months in new oak.  Biodynamic Flower Barrel.
Alcohol:  13.6%.
Production:  25 dozens.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Light golden. Cellar: Can be cellared with confidence for at least 15 years. Bouquet: Lemon, ginger, dried fruit. Palate: Mineral, textured and has a long finish.

Reviews

Author: Lisa Perrotti-Brown Publication: robertparker.com Date: 4 March 2016 Score: 95 Points

Yeasty and toasty aromas hover above the jasmine and peach blossom-scented nose of the 2014 Kevin John Legacy Series Flower Barrel. The wine is earthy and meaty, with butterscotch notes and the rich and concentrated yet medium-bodied palate. This complex wine concludes with a savory finish.

Author: Gary Walsh Date: 9 March 2016 Score: 95 Points

Harvested on a fruit day. The barrel is a ‘Biodynamic’ Loches Flower. 25 dozen made. Bottled direct from, one would assume, a single new barrique. The Flower Barrel and Fruit Barrel essentially the same wines, aside from the different cooperage.

Japanese ginger, citrus, almond paste, fluid almost viscous palate, chalky flinty highlights, crunchy grapefruity finish. Strikes me as having a sweet lemon pie flavour, along with a gentle smokiness. Length is good. Charm is high, as is the oak. Fleshy and pleasurable wine.

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Previous Releases

  • 2016 Kevin John Legacy Series Fruit Day

    The 2016 season delivered another outstanding vintage: the fruit produced by all varieties in the vineyards of Cullen Wines was exceptional.

    Read more    View Tasting Notes

  • 2013 Kevin John Legacy Series Flower Day Chardonnay

    This parcel of Chardonnay was harvested on the New Moon, Flower Day, whole bunch pressed into Flower Barrels (barrels harvested and coopered on a Flower Day)

    Read more    View Tasting Notes

  • 2014 Kevin John Legacy Series – Flower Day MOSH

    We have observed that Moon Opposite Saturn Harvest (MOSH) gives us wines which are vibrant, mineral and full of life, so we harvested separately on this day, which was a flower day harvest and whole bunch pressed to barrel where the wines went through natural fermentation.

    Read more    View Tasting Notes

  • 2014 Kevin John Legacy Series Fruit Barrel Chardonnay

    Harvested on a Fruit Day, whole bunch pressed and aged in Biodnamic Fruit Barrels giving full fruit flavour and character.  The wines have not been fined or filtered and were bottles straight from barrel.

    Read more    View Tasting Notes