Wirra Wirra 12th Man Chardonnay 2023

Learn More About This Wine

Wirra Wirra’s late founder Greg Trott, saw the game of cricket as the most noble of pursuits. As a youth, he even built his own concrete pitch at the family farm to emulate his heroes. Trott envisaged wearing the famous baggy green cap of the Australian team – if only to carry the drinks as the 12th man. And if the drinks tray sported our Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, Trott would have been warmly welcomed at any cricket fixture. 

Aromas of lemon curd and white nectarine with hints of ginger and white florals. Glossy, creamy texture, crispy acidity, flavours of tarte tatin, roasted cashews and spices. 

Handpicked grapes were whole bunch pressed and the free run juice is filled to French oak barrels for spontaneous, wild fermentation. Upon completion of primary fermentation, all barrels were tasted weekly to monitor the increasing complexity and malolactic activity as lees stirring is introduced. Over eight months in oak, the majority of barrels remain unsulfured on lees; however some were sulphured at various stages through maturation to capture natural acidity and fruit brightness. 

Fermented and matured in French oak for eight months, the majority in 500L puncheons with 22% of barrels being their first use.