The Degraves Road Reserve Chardonnay is drawn from one of the most distinctive parcels at Dogrock — Within ‘Cyrils Block’ 8 rows of just 500 vines planted at our Crowlands estate in 2005. Four carefully selected Chardonnay clones — 95, 96, 78 and Penfolds 58 — were chosen for the quality and character they bring to the variety, creating a rare and highly specific expression of Chardonnay in Victoria’s Pyrenees.
For the 2023 vintage, fruit was hand-picked from the estate in mid-March before wild fermentation in 100% new French oak. An abundance of white stone fruit carries across a long and complex palate, where richness is balanced by freshness, elegance and fine minerality. The oak brings texture and depth while allowing the character of this small vineyard parcel to remain at the centre of the wine.
There is generosity here, but above all precision — white peach, stone fruit, fine minerality and integrated French oak come together in a Chardonnay of length, texture and composure. It reflects both the quality of its carefully selected clones and the distinctive character they have developed at Degraves Road.
Beautifully expressive now, with the structure and balance to age gracefully for a further 6–12 years.
Variety Chardonnay
Vintage 2023
Range Degraves Road Reserve
Region Pyrenees, Victoria
Vineyard Dogrock Estate, Crowlands
Block Cyrils Block, 8 rows, 500-vines, planted 2005
Clones 95, 96, 78 & Penfolds 58
Harvest Hand-picked, mid-March
Winemaking Wild yeast fermentation
Style Complex, textural Chardonnay
Profile White stone fruit, minerality, texture and fine French oak
Oak Fermented in 100% new French oak
Alcohol 13.0% Alc/Vol
Cellaring Enjoy now or cellar for 6–12 years
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