2025 Bull Swamp Chardonnay
The Bull Swamp vineyard was planted in 1982 by the Farrington family in the early 1980s on the very edge of the Warragul township. The Bull Swamp Chardonnay comes from the oldest plantings of P58 clone on a north-facing aspect of the site. Deep rich volcanic soils nourish what are dry grown grape vines. Elevation is 100m and this section of the vineyard receives the least amount of airflow relative to our other sites. The northerly aspect provides full sunlight and exposure resulting in powerful, rich fruit.
- The oldest P58 plantings at Bull Swamp, Warragul: planted 1982, dry-grown on deep volcanic soils.
- Wild fermented in barrique (30% new), full malolactic, ten months in barrel.
- Candied lime, makrut lime leaf and white peach; 96 points, Campbell Mattinson.
- Winemaker
- Patrick Sullivan
- Grape
- Chardonnay
- GI
- Gippsland
- Site
- Bull Swamp Vineyard, Baw Baw Shire
- Region
- Gippsland
- Vineyard
- Bull Swamp, Warragul; planted 1982 by the Farrington family; oldest P58 clone plantings; north-facing; deep volcanic soils; dry grown; 100m elevation
- Variety composition
- 100% Chardonnay
- Closure
- Stelvin
- Abv
- 13.5%
- Production
- 300 dozen
- Case configuration
- 6 x 750ml
- Bottle barcode (EAN-13)
- 0781005960642
- Case barcode (GTIN-14)
- 10781005960649
- Case dimensions (L×W×H)
- 53 x 31 x 10 cm
- Filled case weight
- 7.68 kg
- Empty bottle weight
- 580 g
- Cases per layer
- 8
- Layers per pallet
- 12
- Cases per pallet
- 96
- Total SO₂
- 110 mg/L
- Allergens
- Contains sulphites
Vineyard
Vintage notes
The 2025 vintage was quite a wet vintage with very high levels of rainfall recorded, especially in the early half of the growing season. The spring was cool, but was followed by a heatwave into the summer in Victoria. Yields were up from 2024, and harvest was early and quick, smooth and healthy, with the resulting wines being bright, fresh, and drinkable.
Vineyard notes
Bull Swamp vineyard is farmed following biodynamic principals, tailored to this specific site and the Gippsland climate. Vines were planted in 1982 by the Farrington family on the very edge of the Warragul township. All vines are cane pruned, no tillage. The Bullswamp Chardonnay comes from the oldest plantings of the P58 clone. Completely dry-grown on volcanic soils. The warmest single vineyard site of Patrick's, sitting at 100m above sea level with steep northern exposure.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand harvested into 15kg baskets and transferred to the winery. Whole cluster crushed into the press and drained off into tank for settling. Wild primary fermentation takes place in barrique (30% new) over 3 weeks followed by full malolactic fermentation. Lees stirring occurs weekly throughout fermentation. The wine is then aged in barrique for ten months.
Tasting Notes
A nuanced and subtle chardonnay that presents place more than any particular winemaking slant. Aromatics of candied lime, makrut lime leaf, white peach, toasted hazelnut, and yellow pear. Delicate and intricately-knit palate, persistent and balanced acid, with pleasantly plump fruit weight. Concentrated with a long and taut finish.
Critics
96 points, Campbell Mattinson (campbellmattinson.com)
Distributed in Australia by Principal Wine.