The Macedon Ranges in Victoria, Australia is known for quite a few things – its expansive native forests, vibrant arts scene, thriving food industries and natural attractions such as Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon. It is also the coolest viticultural area in mainland Australia. This unique site owes much to the combination of altitude (540 metres), latitude (south of The Great Dividing Range), and distance from the mitigating influence of the ocean. After warm summer days, there are crisp, cool evenings that slow ripening and help retain natural acidity. These are ideal conditions for the early ripening varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Curly Flat, located in the Macedon Ranges, is a small, privately owned, estate-based vineyard and winery producing the highest quality cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Winecroft featured white wine for November is the 2018 Curly Flat Chardonnay. This pure expression of Chardonnay has flavours of lemon and lime zest with ripe white peach and nectarine stone fruits. A sense of wet stone minerality is there with lees-driven pastry notes. A long creamy finish. Think Ripe White Peaches.
This wine is on the winelist at Allium at Askham Hall, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Askham near Penrith in Cumbria.