2023 Run Free by Singlefile Chardonnay
VINEYARD & WINEMAKING
Chardonnay is very well suited to the cool climate of the Great Southern wine region. Chardonnay from the vineyard sites in this part of Western Australia tend to ripen slowly, developing complex flavours while also retaining an elegant natural acidity which provides for a lovely balance between richness and vibrancy that we seek in this modern styled chardonnay.
The fruit was picked in pristine conditions early morning in mid-March 2023. When the fruit arrived at the winery it was gently destemmed and pressed, the juice transferred directly into Burgundian 225l barriques and temperature controlled to ensure a slow fermentation process. Natural (wild) yeasts and indigenous yeasts were used in different barrels, giving rise to the development of complex flavours and textural weight.
At the end of the fermentation the lees were stirred gently each week until the desired balance between oak, lees complexity and fruit character was achieved. No malolactic fermentation was carried out with all the natural acidity preserved.
THE WINE
This 2023 chardonnay displays a bright, lifted bouquet of both lemon and stone fruits, such as peach and nectarine. There is also an underlay of toasty spice derived from the oak. On the palate, the wine displays lively citrus flavours supported by funky barrel ferment characters which add complexity. There is a long flavoursome finish with a good balance of fruit, oak and natural acidity. This wine will develop further in bottle in the coming years.
CRITIC REVIEWS OF NOTE
2023 Vintage
94 points, Wine Showcase March 2024
93 points, Ken Gargett, WinePilot, July 2024
2022 Vintage
93 points, National Liquor News Chardonnay Tasting, Mar 2023
93 points, Winestate Magazine Chardonnay Tasting, Mar/Apr 2023
2021 Vintage
94 points, Winestate Magazine Chardonnay Tasting, Mar/Apr 2022
94 points, Wine Showcase Magazine, December 2021
2020 Vintage
4 stars, Winestate Magazine, New Release Wine Awards, May/June 2021
2019 Vintage
5 stars, Best Wines of 2020, New Releases, Winestate Magazine, Annual Edition 2021
5 stars, Top in Category, Winestate Magazine, Nov 2020
2018 Vintage
91 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, Jun 2019
2017 Vintage
17.9 points, Barry Weinman, Fine Wine Club, Mar 2019
17.5 points, Regan Drew, Vinonotebook, Dec 2018
91 points, Steve Leszczynski, QWine, Oct 2018
2016 Vintage
91 points, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion, Jan 2017
2014 Vintage
95 points, James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion, Aug 2016
91 points, Ray Jordan, The West Australian, Feb 2016
'Top Value', Regan Drew, Vinonotebook, Feb 2016
4 Stars, Winewise Magazine, Nov 2015
Product Reviews
Wine supplied by Singlefile as guest panelist for their new release. It was delicious and is thus highlighted.
Pale straw colour. There is a strong whiff of stone fruit, lychee, citrus π, and spice aromas on the nose π. There is a nice roundness to the palate. Well balanced with a nice backbone of acidity. Elegant but not lacking in flavour. Notes of mandarins, melons π, nectarines, and ginger π« spice. Really nice wine.