This 2020 vintage will be the 20th single bottling of the KBS Vineyard Chardonnay (there was no 2018 vintage). From a vineyard that is now over 32 years old, the strength and character of the Chardonnay from this vineyard always stands out so distinctly when assessing all of our vineyard batches. Hand-picked between March 25th and March 27th, with yields averaging 4.5 tonnes per hectare across the vineyard, the fruit was cooled and whole bunch pressed, with the unclarified juice fermented in a mix of French oak puncheons (33% new). During the 10 months total maturation in barrel, the lees was stirred regularly during the period post-fermentation. With the elevated acid levels resulting from the cool season, we made the decision to put all barrels through the acid softening malo-lactic fermentation.  A classic KBS Vineyard Chardonnay nose with sweet lemon and white rose floral lift, though there is a slightly subdued aura consistent with the expectations of a cool vintage. The palate is very fine, but with notable weight and fruit sweetness, all carried along by a fine line of acid. Overall, there is a lovely balance of chalky, almost pebble-like, fresh lemon and sweeter citrus flavours, with an abundance of spice, both from the fruit and French oak.