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2014 Kevin John Legacy Series Fruit 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.  It underwent natural fermentation prior to receiving 7 months of oak maturation.

This particular wine was 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.

Tiny quantities of great wine.

 

 

Winemaker Notes

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

Tasting Notes

Colour: Light gold. Cellar: Can be cellared with confidence for at least 15 years. Bouquet: Pear, citrus, tropical and vanilla. Palate: Big rich powerful expressive textural long finish.

Reviews

Author: Lisa Perrotti-Brown Publication: robertparker.com Date: 4 March 2016 Score: 96+ Points

The 2014 Kevin John Legacy Series Fruit Barrel has a pretty floral and citrus nose with core notes of lemons, white grapefruit, white peaches, almonds and crushed stones. The wine is seriously intense, long and minerally in the mouth, and tighter knit than the Flower Barrel bottling. Wow.

Author: Gary Walsh Date: 28 April 2016 Score: 94 Points

Harvested on a fruit day. The barrel is a ‘Biodynamic’ Loches Fruit. 25 dozen made. Bottled direct from, one would assume, a single barrique.

High perfume, fennel, almond, vanilla, light sweet lemon flavour, fresh pineapple, and gentle smoky sulphide and clove. Medium to full bodied, delivers a solid core of ripe fruit with a viscous and silky texture, with a little chalkiness, barely ripe pineapple acidity and, yes I have kids, what I thought might be called a ‘gummy bear’ feel. Pulls spicy and lighty chalky on a pretty long and pretty vanilla tinged finish. It’s deluxe. Very fluid. Perhaps a little loose, yet charming.

Author: Huon Hooke Date: 27 April 2016 Score: 96 Points

Intense grapefruit, lemon, citrus aroma and flavour, subtle oak and creamy lees notes, hints of honey, great finesse and precision, flowing seamlessly through a very persistent finish. A slightly more powerful version of the Legacy Series. (New barrel).

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Previous Releases

  • 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 Flower Barrel Chardonnay

    Whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in Flower Day Barrels. 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.

    Read more    View Tasting Notes

  • 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