Winery & Vintage Info
During 150 years of winemaking, Seppelt has built a reputation of innovation and dedication to quality. The Seppelt approach is to harness the strength and characteristics of each region and create varietally and regionally expressive wines.
Created as a part of the Seppelt Foundation Range and deriving its name from the picturesque Jaluka Forest in the Northern Grampians of Western Victoria, Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay is expressive of the cool maritime climate of the Henty region. Traditional winemaking and gentle handling ensure that this wine captures the distinctive characteristics of this unique region.
The fruit for the Jaluka Chardonnay is sourced from the Henty region in Victoria’s far South West, including some parcels from the Seppelt Drumborg vineyard.
A cool winter with good early rainfall was followed by warm, dry spring conditions, resulting in excellent fruit set. Summer temperatures were average, with persistent fine conditions and little rain, resulting in above-average yields and exceptional quality.
Whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented with solids included and no malolactic fermentation (MLF). Lees stirred once a month and matured for nine months in a combination of French oak barriques, puncheons and 3000L vats (18% new oak).
A pale straw colour with green hues, and aromas of white flowers, roasted nuts and grapefruit pith complemented by flinty barrel ferment characters.
On the palate, vibrant stone-fruit characters are balanced with crunchy acidity and nutty oak. The balanced combination of lees texture and mineral structure adds layers of complexity to the palate.
The 2016 Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay is another fine example of cool climate Australian Chardonnay. There's restrained lime, citrus, and green apple characters balanced by classic Drumborg mineral acidity and delicate nutty nuances. This elegantly structured wine has great finesse and a bright cellaring future. It's quite tight and linear with excellent focus and length on the palate, finishing with brisk acidity.
