Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay 2013 (Museum)

A perfectly cellared museum release Allegra from Lethbridge. Named after daughter Allegra, this is Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson’s flagship Chardonnay. They source the fruit for the Allegra Chardonnay from the historic Rebenberg vineyard in Mount Duneed. Located 10 kilometres southwest of Geelong, the vineyard was initially planted in 1858 and replanted in 1968 by Ken and Joy Campbell. The Chardonnay vines are now almost 50 years old (planted in 1981, making them some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in Geelong).

The vines are rooted in gravel and quartz soil and give extremely low yields of less than 12 hl/ha. These low yields and old vines go some way to explain how the Rebenberg vineyard always delivers “fruit of incredible density and acid”, according to Ray. Following ten years in the cellar, it’s a cracking, drink-now Vic Chardonnay delivering great flavours and perfume of ripe lemon and ginger-infused clotted cream flecked by delicious umami-savoury notes.