2023 Kevin John
The 2023 Kevin John is a powerful, bold, textural, example of a point in the journey with no end of discovering terroir through biodynamics. Picked across three weeks according to the biodynamic calendar, capturing fruit and flower days, from a full Moon, Moon opposite Saturn astral event to the new moon flower day in late February.
Hand harvested, whole bunch basket pressed. Fermented in concrete egg, amphorae and biodynamic puncheons. Eight months maturation in biodynamic oak puncheons of which 80% were new, bottled without fining or filtration. Made from 100% dry farmed biodynamically certified Wente/Gin Gin clone planted on their 1976-1988. Yield 1.7 tons per hectare. Will age well for 20 years under screwcap in the new lightweight bottle.
Vintage Notes
Vintage 2023 was a low yielding vintage which resulted in some stunning grapes and hence quality wine. In particular Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited the best typicity of varietal manifestation. The 52 year old vines consistently yield well year on year out.
The growing conditions until December were cold and wet and due to the negative Indian dipole and La Niña effects finishing in December 2022 we had an unprecedented dry spell from December until the end of harvest.
Small berry size particularly in white grape varieties produced beautifully balanced wines; Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Malbec all outstanding.
Winemaker Notes
Vineyard: 100% Cullen Vineyard
Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Harvest: Picked on fruit and flower days between the 6th and 24th February including one pick on a full Moon, Moon opposite Saturn Fruit day and a Super Moon New Moon flower day.
Oak: 8 months in 80% new oak
Alcohol: 13.5%
Tasting Notes
Reviews
Author: Gary Walsh Publication: The Wine Front Score: 96 points‘Made from 100% dry farmed biodynamically certified Wente/Gin Gin clone planted between 1976 and 1988. Australian Chardonnay is so good. Now packaged in a lighter bottle weighing 360 grams, as opposed to the old one which was 560 grams. Very good. Well done. Now lets get rid of those ‘flagship’ (usually red, aspirational, and anachronistic) wines weighing in at nearly 1kg… As an aside, I taste nearly all wines from a Plumm Three No.3 Burgundy glass these days, such a pleasing and durable glass. For light whites and sparkling, I tend to use Gabriel glass.
Peach and dried pear, plenty of spice, cedar, brittle toffee and vanilla, cumquat, lime and white flower. It’s a powerful expression of Wilyabrup Chardonnay, intense in acidity and flavour, it has spice and plenty of grip, lime nougat, a milk powder richness, and a bold finish of excellent length. Positively dripping with golden flavour and energy, but so very good.’
$180.00
Previous Releases
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2018 Kevin John
This wine, our flagship 2018 Kevin John has been sourced from our old chardonnay vines planted in 1976-1988. They are Gin Gin Clone, also known as the Old Wente Clone originally from UC Davis. They produce tiny yields of the best quality fruit. This year it was 2.75 tonnes per hectare of certified biodynamic, carbon negative fruit, how wonderful!
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2017 Kevin John
This is a wine defined by great purity, elegance and a fantastic acid backbone: a vintage destined for great ageing potential.
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2020 Kevin John
The 2020 Kevin John is made from the Wente Clone planted in 1976 on Cullen Vineyard. The soil is forest grove and mostly southerly slope or level. The vines are certified biodynamic, and in 2020 produced a yield of 1.3 tonnes per hectare.
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2019 Kevin John
This wine, our flagship 2019 Kevin John has been sourced from our old chardonnay vines planted in 1976-1988. They are Gin Gin Clone, also known as the Old Wente Clone originally from UC Davis. They produce tiny yields of the best quality fruit.
Read moreView Tasting Notes