2024 Charteris Wines Chardonnay

The contrast between 2223 and 2324 could not have been greater. The 2023 dry season was one for the ages just 90mm of rain from May to October confirming La Nina was well behind us. That story continued through the growing season. The heavens held firm warm winter minimums pushed budburst to August and an early harvest became inevitable. Vineyard management came down to doing the basics right and hoping for relief. Fortunately three previous wet seasons had banked enough subsoil moisture to carry good vineyards through when summer heat arrived. Harvest came in a rush no gaps between Chardonnay Semillon and Shiraz everything in the winery by the first week of February and not much of it. The prolonged dry had done its work. Half was the word heard most at receival pads around the Valley and thats exactly what the weigh books showed half of what was expected. But good things come in small packages. The Semillons have tension and weight depth and delicacy wines to watch. For a glimpse of where they might go look to the 2005s and 2007s. Chardonnay and Shiraz are harder to read at this stage the Chardonnays are complex with a little more funk than the 2023s while the Shiraz is dense and compact with real tannin power. These wines will need time to unwind.