House of Arras Grand Vintage Tasmania – 2009

A superb, dry, richly toasty and nutty blend of 66% Chardonnay and 34% Pinot Noir, which was aged for 12 years on its lees during second fermentation in bottle. 

“The Krug of Australia” 97pts James Halliday

“Bright, light to medium yellow colour. The bouquet is exquisitely multi-layered and arresting, creamy toasty, roasted hazelnut and smoked-charcuterie aromas, honey and lemon chardonnay nuances discernible within the overall complexity. Buttery popcorn as it warmed up. This all transfers superbly to the palate, where the wine is mouth-filling, rich and ample, soft but dry textured and the aftertaste is tremendously long. It can still be tasted minutes later. A great sparkling wine and a magical drink.” 97 pts The Real Review March 2022 

Winemaker Ed Carr’s notes

The Grand Vintage 2009, is a classic expression of the vineyard, vintage and maker. A wine of uncompromising quality enriched by the great complexity of character that follows a minimum of seven years on tirage. Grand Vintage expresses the delicacy and balance of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the pristine cold climate vineyards of Tasmania.

GRAPE VARIETY
Chardonnay 66%, Pinot Noir 34%

COLOUR
Sparkling yellow gold with a wonderfully fine bead.

NOSE Lifted aromas reminiscent of fresh brioche, white flowers, oyster shell and exotic spice.

PALATE A seamless and elegantly structured palate presence exhibiting characters of toasted sourdough, field mushroom, lemon curd and malted barley. The wine shows great tension and poise with the low dosage in perfect balance with fine tannins and natural acidity.

VINEYARD REGIONS:- Tasmania, Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, Freycinet, Pipers River, Huon Valley

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

Dry conditions persisted through late 2008 and into 2009 and many vineyards were prone to severe frost. Cold and windy conditions significantly reduced fruit set and overall the 2009 vintage experienced low fruit yields. In January there was a short burst of heat and then a return to very cool conditions further exacerbating the difficulties with achieving fruit maturation this vintage. Wine from this vintage express the fullness of a lower yielding year but has retained a strong acid line that ensures longevity and brightness.

WINEMAKING
Crafted in the traditional sparkling winemaking method, combined with fastidious and modern viticultural techniques. The fruit is hand-picked and gently pressed with only the highest quality juice selected for fermentation. Further complexity and character are built into the wine with 10% fermentation in first use French Oak barriques followed by 100% malolactic fermentation. The blended wine has been matured for twelve years in tirage ensuring a depth and complexity consistent with the worlds’ finest cuvées.

DOSAGE
3.1g/l

Alc/Vol: 12.5%