Petit Hillier Blanc Chardonnay 2022

Petit Hillier Blanc Chardonnay 2022

• 100% Estate Grown Chardonnay, vineyard planted in 2018
• Hand-harvested fruit, 15kg totes, early October 2022
• Whole cluster pressed in a water pressure basket press
• Spontaneous fermentation with a pied de cuve
• Alcoholic fermentation in 50% steel and 50% oak barrels
• Spontaneous Malo-lactic fermentation & elevage
• Barrel & steel portions blended for bottling
• Unfiltered & unfined
• Lightly sulphured after malo & at bottling
• Bottled in August of 2023

Tasting notes credit - Rick Van Sickle

Last House Vineyard Petit Hillier Blanc 2022 ($34, mid-May release, 93 points) — The label “Petit” is a “play on Petit Chablis,” says Gagné, which is a category in that French Burgundian region that’s not meant to be “lesser” or “second rate” but rather a different style due to soil and sun. Petit Chablis wines are fresher, lighter, and less complex. Gagne used the Petit designation for his newer vines and is retiring the name with the 2023 vintage. The 2022 is loaded with savoury/saline and flint. It shows a bright, lifted array of pear, white flowers, yellow apple, bergamot, and integrated spice notes. It shows more concentration and weight on the palate than the Christian Block with a minerally/saline/briny thing going on with notes of yellow apple, fresh pear, grapefruit zest, subtle spice, beautiful finesse, and crunchy acidity through a bright, lifted finish. Lovers of personable, terroir-driven County Chardonnays will nerd out over this wine if tasted beside the Christian Block to determine their favourite style. So interesting.