Although this is only the third release of this variety as a straight-up style, Pete has a long history of using Clairette as a blending component of the much-loved Lola. Clairette is a fascinating Mediterranean variety that naturally holds its acidity, bringing freshness and depth to the white blends of the Rhône Valley. Our Rhône producers are captivated with the grape, and La Réméjeanne’s young Olivier Klein has been increasing his holdings with a view to crafting a mono-cépage Clairette at some point down the line.
The fruit for this bottling is sourced from a single, elevated site in Rowland Flat on the eastern side of the Barossa Valley, from vines that were grafted over to Clairette some 10 years ago. The grapes were hand-harvested, chilled overnight and crushed, before maceration for four hours. The settled juice fermented wild, predominantly in stainless steel with a small proportion of old French oak.