Description The Great Escape Chardonnay is a benchmark cool-climate expression from McLaren Vale, sourced from a single vineyard at the region’s highest altitude, bordering the Adelaide Hills, where the long ripening season preserves the natural balance of sugar and acidity that defines this style. Citrusy and precise on the nose, with a subtle oak influence that adds texture without imposing. The palate is bright and focused, with crisp citrus fruit and a creamy, mouth-watering finish that lingers cleanly. Moderate in alcohol and accomplished in balance, this is a genuinely modern Chardonnay that rewards both casual drinking and closer attention. Fruit goes directly to press after picking, with free run juice settled in tank before wild fermentation in used French oak and concrete egg. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided to preserve the wine’s crisp, citrus-driven character. A relatively high level of solids retained in the ferment adds texture and depth. The 2024 vintage delivered ideal conditions from late January onwards, with moderate temperatures and a dry, settled finish to the season allowing fruit to be picked at the perfect moment. 13% / 75cl