2020 Adelaide Hills, Sang de Pigeon Chardonnay, Michael Hall Wines
About Producer
Once a jewellery valuer for Sotheby’s in Switzerland, Michael Hall came to Australia at the age of 40 to bring his lifelong wine dream to reality. After graduating dux in wine science at Charles Sturt University in 2005, he took advantage of the inverse hemisphere seasons to do stints in Australia with Cullen, Giaconda, Henschke, Shaw+Smith, Coldstream Hills and Veritas, and in France with Leflaive, Méo-Camuzet, Vieux Télégraphe and Trévallon, no less. Setting up his winery in 2008 in Tanunda, Barossa Valley, Michael put his focus on small vineyards in Barossa, Eden Valley and Adelaide Hills.
Varietals
Chardonnay. From 2 blocks in Piccadilly, below Mount Lofty in Adelaide Hills, on humus and sandy soils over clay. Barrel-fermented with 25% malolactic, matured for 11 months on yeast lees in French oak (21% new). 2,850 bottles produced.
About Appellation
Located southeast of the city of Adelaide and one of the largest wine region in Australia, Adelaide Hills has 3,957ha of vineyards lying on grey-brown or brown loamy sands between 400 to 650m of altitude. After the first vineyard was planted in the mid-19th century, viticulture had steadily developed until a slump in the early 1900s. Things drastically changed for the better in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to a new group of pioneer winemakers who spearheaded the revival of the region. The main grape varieties are sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, and shiraz.
Tasting Notes
A trade term for the colour of the finest rubies, Sang de Pigeon (pigeon’s blood) is a nod to Michael’s former life as jewellery valuer. Fragrant nose of white stone fruits, citrus and floral scents, ample and rich mouthfeel with creamy texture and excellent precision, multilayered flavours of peach, pear, lemon cream and faint hints of ginger, lively acidity carrying through a long, appealing finish. This is a well-crafted, delightful wine with confident poise and very fine balance. I particularly love the vibrant fruit-forward lift and crisp freshness on the palate that adds a thrilling overlay to the lingering aftertaste. A cracking top-drawer wine indeed. (02/2022)