Montague Aurum Sparkling 2021

Awards

92 Points – Ray Jordan
“This is an impressive blanc de blanc style made from Margaret River chardonnay. Shows tremendous intensity on the nose and palate. Lift of floral lemon notes with traces of fresh baked bread and lightly roasted cashew. The palate has real power with a fresh bready yeasty character providing plenty. Bit going on here.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Pale straw with green glints and a very fine, persistent bead.

Aromatics
A fresh bouquet of spring apple blossom, citrus and fleshy grapefruit, with lifted floral lemon notes. Underneath sit subtle hints of fresh baked bread, lightly roasted cashew and a touch of sea spray minerality.

Palate
Elegant yet quietly powerful. Crunchy green apple and nashi pear lead, supported by lemon pith, grapefruit zest and a delicate savoury line. The mousse is fine and creamy, wrapping the fruit in texture without losing tension. Honeyed nougat and gentle brioche notes swirl through the mid palate.

Finish
Full yet ethereal, finishing with shards of salty chalk and citrus, leaving the palate cleansed and ready for the next sip.

Viticulture & Winemaking 🌱

• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia

• Site: Single vineyard, Capulet block

• Variety: 100 percent Chardonnay (Gin Gin clone)

Vinification

• Two small batches hand picked on 11 and 15 February 2021

• Fruit chilled overnight then whole bunch pressed to stainless steel

• Both batches cold settled for 72 hours, then racked together for fermentation

• Primary ferment to full dryness in 10 days

• Base wine aged on fine lees for 10 months to encourage autolysis and texture

• Dosage and yeast added on 7 November 2021 for secondary ferment in bottle

• Bottled and crown sealed, then tiraged for 18 months on lees in bottle

• Disgorged and topped with liqueur dosage in May 2023

Composition & Analysis

• Variety: 100 percent Chardonnay (Gin Gin clone)

• Alcohol: 13.2 percent

Serving & Cellaring ❄️

• Serve well chilled at 6 to 9 degrees

• Optimal drinking window: Now to 8 years

• Enjoy young for bright citrus, apple and floral lift, or cellar to see more brioche, nuts and honeyed complexity develop over time

If you want a little extra creaminess, pour the first splash, then let the glass sit for a couple of minutes before diving in.

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Freshly shucked oysters with lemon

• Natural scallops or prawns with citrus dressing

• Lightly battered whiting or tempura seafood

• Goat cheese tart with herbs

• Soft cheeses and simple charcuterie plates

FAQ 🧐

Is it very rich or more on the fresh side?
It sits in the elegant, fresh camp, with bright citrus and green apple driving the palate, layered over subtle brioche, nougat and cashew from time on lees.

How does it compare to Champagne style wines?
It is made using the same traditional method, but shows its Margaret River origins with Gin Gin Chardonnay fruit, crunchy apple, nashi and a distinctly saline, chalky finish rather than overt toastiness.

A poised, single site Blanc de Blanc that combines fine bead, salty chalky minerality and pure Margaret River Chardonnay fruit in one seriously classy sparkling. 🥂