Clover Hill Cuvée Exceptionelle Blanc de Blancs
Vintage 2016
From time to time, the blessing of virtually perfect climatic conditions can produce an exceptional vintage. The first of these was in 1999, when abundant winter and spring rainfall was followed by a warm, mild, yet sunny, ripening season. The fruit from this vintage was so outstanding, a small number of chardonnay parcels from the Clover Hill Vineyard were reserved to create the Cuvée Exceptionnelle Blanc de Blancs.
$ 75.00
Out of stock
The finest parcels of Tasmanian fruit
The Exceptionelle Blanc de Blancs has a golden straw appearance with a fine, persistent bead and delicate mousse. The wine displays aromas of brioche and honey with a hint of toasted hazelnuts. The palate is creamy with a textural mid-palate and exhibits flavours of preserved citrus and lemon curd.
Drinking beautifully now, but also will reward greatly if left to develop over the next 10+ years.
From time to time, the blessing of virtually perfect climatic conditions can produce an exceptional vintage. The first of these was in 1999 when abundant winter and spring rainfall was followed by a mild yet sunny, ripening season. The fruit from this vintage was so outstanding a single chardonnay parcel from the Clover Hill Vineyard was reserved to create the Cuvée Exceptionnelle Blanc de Blancs. Today when we have an exceptionally high- quality chardonnay vintage, we draw on this experience to create the Clover Hill Blanc de Blancs.
A wet start to the growing season due to ample winter rainfall set the vines up for a thriving and balanced canopy. The extended growing season allowed the fruit ripen to it fully potential, whilst still maintaining great intensity and naturally bright acidity. Harvested from A block, the chardonnay selected for this Blanc de Blancs was classed as the best on the property.
The fruits was gently whole-bunch-pressed, fermented and underwent malolactic fermentation. Post-fermentation the tanks were held on their lees and were regularly battonaged. Once tiraged, the wine was aged on lees in bottle for a minimum of five years prior to the first disgorging.
100% Chardonnay
Acid: 7.8 g/L pH: 3.09
Alcohol by volume: 12.0%
Residual Sugar: 7.5 g/L
Harvested: April 2014
Time on lees: Minimum 66 months
Disgorge Date: July 2020
2012 Vintage
- 95 points 2020 Halliday Wine Companion
- 95 Points Jan-19 The Real Review – Huon Hooke & Bob Campbell
- 100 Top Release Wines in the February/March issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE
2011 Vintage
- 95 Points and Runner up for ‘Blanc de Blancs of the year 2018 Australian Sparkling Report (Tyson Stelzer)
- Silver 2018 Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show
2010 Vintage
- 95 points and Runner up for ‘Blanc de Blancs of the year’ with 95 Points 2017 Australian Sparkling Report (Tyson Stelzer)
- 95 Points 2018 James Halliday Wine Companion
- 95 Points Mar-17 Wine Business Magazine (Mike Bennie & Tyson Stelzer)
IN THE PRESS
Critic Reviews
2010 EXCEPTIONELLE BLANC DE BLANCS
95 points & 1st Runner up in the Best Blanc de Blancs of the year in 2016
Chardonnay was where it all began for Clover Hill, and there is a tension and definition to this grape that defines the estate’s longest-lived wines to this day. At six years of age, this cuvée upholds a bright, medium straw hue. There’s intensity of grapefruit, lemon butter and even the exuberance of star fruit, amidst the toast and burnt butter of bottle age. In creamy texture, mouth filling intensity and undeviating line and length, this is a grand release for Clover Hill, with plenty of energy still coiled into its folds.
