2020 SINGLE BLOCK B3 CHARDONNAY

B3 Block lies at the centre of our plantings on the river flat. It composes 1.56 acres of the Penfolds 58 clone – Chardonnay. The soil composition is black volcanic loams over limestone, with part on alluvial silts. As the ground rises from the riverbed the soils are better drained, providing ideal water stress to the vines. Denser plantings of 2.2m between the rows and 1.5m between vines, controls vigour through local competition. All this culminates in smaller grape bunches with ideal acid sugar balance. In the glass, the B3 Chardonnays show more pronounced green apples and citrus fruits that can stand up to considerable new oak treatment. Hand harvesting is essential to select clean fruit, which will be whole bunch pressed and barrel fermented.