Patrick Sullivan Bull Swamp Chardonnay 2024

Ranked: #3 of 82 2024 Chardonnay from Victoria - Real Review

The Bull Swamp vineyard was planted in 1982 by the Farrington family in the early 1980s on the very edge of the Warragul township. The Bull Swamp Chardonnay comes from the oldest plantings of P58 clone on a north-facing aspect of the site. Deep rich volcanic soils nourish what are dry grown grape vines. Elevation is 100m and this section of the vineyard receives the least amount of airflow relative to our other sites. The northerly aspect provides full sunlight and exposure resulting in powerful, rich fruit.

The fruit was hand harvested into 15kg baskets and transferred to the winery, then whole-cluster crushed into the press and drained off into tank for
settling. Primary fermentation took place in barrique (30% new) over three weeks followed by complete malolactic fermentation. Lees stirring occurred twice towards the end of primary fermentation then once more at the
completion of malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged in barrique for eleven months.