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Forest Hill

Block 8 Chardonnay 2023

6 left in stock!

$55.00

forest hill vineyard,denmark, western australia.
picture of forest hill wines, denmark wine region,western australia. wineries down south

6 left in stock!

$55.00

Forest Hill

Block 8 Chardonnay 2023

Forest Hill Chardonnay

Crafted from the Gingin clone and aged in around 25% new oak, this wine is a powerful and captivating reflection of its cool-climate terroir, where both intensity and elegance are beautifully balanced.

Why You Will Love It 💛

  • Complex & Captivating: This Chardonnay combines bold flavours with remarkable finesse. Expect vibrant stone fruit, floral nuances, and nutty complexity, making it a wine that keeps evolving with every sip.
  • Perfect Balance of Richness & Elegance: Despite its full-bodied profile, this wine maintains grace and poise, with vibrant acidity and a touch of savoury character that ensures a clean, lingering finish.
  • Award-Winning Quality: Described by Erin Larkin from Wine Companion as “the greatest Chardonnay in the Great Southern region,” this wine is a true standout in its class.
  • Subtle Oak Influence: With 25% new oak, the wine picks up subtle, elegant layers of roasted cashew and a hint of amontillado sherry, enhancing its complexity without overpowering the fruit.
  • Perfect for Cellaring: The wine’s structure and balance make it an excellent candidate for aging, with the potential to develop even more intricate flavours over the next decade.

 

picture of forest hill wines, denmark wine region,western australia. wineries down south

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Block 8 Tasting Notes:

The Forest Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 presents a captivating nose of ripe stone fruit, such as peach and nectarine, alongside delicate white floral notes and the nutty aroma of roasted cashew. On the palate, flavours of juicy peach and crisp green apple are complemented by the subtle richness of amontillado sherry and a hint of cinnamon spice. The wine is full-bodied with a textured mouthfeel, where lively limey acidity and a briny minerality create a vibrant backbone.

Despite its boldness, the wine maintains an elegant balance, with its savoury elements adding complexity. The finish is long, focused, and smooth, leaving a lingering impression of fine structure and depth.

Perfect Pairings:

This Chardonnay is a versatile food companion, pairing beautifully with rich seafood dishes like grilled lobster or pan-seared scallops. It also complements roasted chicken, creamy pasta dishes, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. The wine’s complexity and texture make it ideal for pairing with charcuterie or even a selection of roasted nuts.

Additional Information:

  • Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
  • Region: Great Southern, Western Australia
  • Cellaring Potential: 10-15 years
  • Closure: Screwcap (for freshness and longevity)
  • Style: Full-bodied, complex white wine
  • Serving Temperature: Best served between 10°C and 12°C

Awards 🏆

  • Erin Larkin, Wine Companion
    “This is routinely a – if not the – greatest Chardonnay in the Great Southern region”
  • Wine Companion – 96 pts
    Mike Bennie on the 2023 Block 8 Chardonnay: “An intense, concentrated and powerful chardonnay yet there’s poise and grace amongst the flourish of richer fruits, sweep of sweet spices and general energy of limey and briny acidity. Jura meets Chablis? Something like that, but of course a strong reflection of this mature and significant site. So much character here, while bold, it’s far from overbearing, instead delivering a character-filled and charismatic chardonnay that feels steeped in saline freshness while offering up peach, green apple, cinnamon, licks of amontillado sherry and gingery piquancy. It’s fantastic, marching to the beat of its own drum while being a standard bearer for regional chardonnay at the apex of complexity and interest. This deserves its name in lights.”

FAQ Wine Terms 🤔

  • Gingin Clone: A clone of Chardonnay known for producing wines with complex aromas and flavours, including citrus, stone fruit, and a rich texture. It’s highly regarded in cool-climate regions like the Great Southern.
  • New Oak: The wine has been aged in about 25% new oak, which imparts subtle flavours like roasted nuts, spice, and a soft vanilla note. It enhances the wine’s complexity without overshadowing the natural fruit character.
  • Amontillado Sherry: A type of fortified wine known for its nutty, rich flavours. The slight hint of amontillado in this Chardonnay adds a unique layer of complexity, contributing to its savoury finish.
  • Acidity: The fresh, limey acidity in this wine is a defining feature, providing balance to the wine’s rich fruit and oak characteristics. It keeps the wine lively and ensures it finishes with a crisp, clean sensation.

  • Briny Minerality: This term refers to the subtle salty or mineral quality that can be found in wines from cool-climate regions like Great Southern. It adds depth and freshness to the wine, enhancing its overall complexity.

Learn More About Forest Hill

Forest Hill Winery holds a significant place in the history of Western Australia’s wine industry, recognized as the first cool climate vineyard established in the region. Its story begins in the 1960s when Tony and Betty Pearce, after extensive research throughout the South-West, identified a site with immense potential for grape cultivation. In 1965, they planted a modest two-hectare vineyard on their property, laying the foundation for what would become a prominent name in Australian winemaking.

Fifty years later, Forest Hill Winery remains family-owned and operated, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to quality and tradition. The winery crafts its wines in Denmark, a charming coastal town not far from the vineyard, with grapes sourced exclusively from the historic Forest Hill Vineyard in Mount Barker. This commitment to the original site not only honors the winery’s heritage but also allows for the expression of unique terroir in every bottle.

The Unique Terroir of Great Southern

Located in the Great Southern wine region, Forest Hill Winery benefits from the cool climate that defines this area. The region, characterized by its rugged landscapes and pristine environment, experiences a maritime influence that contributes to its cooler temperatures compared to other parts of Western Australia. This climate is vital for producing high-quality wines, as it allows for a longer ripening period, leading to enhanced flavor development in the grapes.

The soils at Forest Hill are primarily lateritic gravelly and sandy loams, as well as sandy loams derived from granite bedrock. These soil types are well-draining and rich in minerals, providing the ideal foundation for vines to thrive. The combination of cool climate and diverse soil types results in distinctive fine wines that capture the essence of the land and its environment.

forest hill winery,denmark, western australia. Forest hill wines delivered

Varietals and Winemaking Philosophy

Forest Hill Winery is renowned for its range of varietals that showcase the benefits of cool climate viticulture. Among the standout varieties are Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz & Cabernet, each reflecting the unique characteristics of the site. Riesling, in particular, has garnered acclaim for its aromatic complexity and crisp acidity, embodying the purity of fruit that cool climates can produce. The Chardonnays are often noted for their elegance and balance.

The winery’s winemaking philosophy is deeply rooted in respect for the land and the seasons. Each wine is a reflection of the site, the season, and the dedicated people who nurture the vines. This hands-on approach allows the team to maintain the integrity of the grapes, ensuring that the wines express the true character of the vineyard.

Sustainability and Future Directions

As Forest Hill Winery looks to the future, sustainability remains a core principle. The winery is committed to environmentally responsible practices, from vineyard management to winemaking techniques. This focus not only enhances the quality of the wines but also contributes to the long-term health of the vineyard and surrounding ecosystem.

forest hill vineyard,denmark, western australia.

Forest Hill Winery sits in the Great Southern wine region, situated within the ancient, rugged, and pristine environment bordering the south coast of Western Australia, is the coolest in Western Australia. Soils are mostly lateritic gravelly and sandy loams, or sandy loams derived from granite bedrock. Stretching north, east, and west from Western Australia’s south coast, the largest wine-growing region in mainland Australia. These are distinctive fine wines that benefit from cool climate viticulture in a clean, green environment.

The accolades for the Forest Hill wine range are extensive, with the likes of Wine Companion and Ray Jordan giving outstanding scores.

picture of forest hill wines, denmark wine region,western australia. wineries down south

If you are planning on visiting the Denmark region, make sure you visit the official wine association page HERE

If we don’t stock your favourite wine we can order it in, email us at info@partnersinwine.com.au

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