# Stella Bella Chardonnay 2023 (2023)

- **Producer:** Stella Bella Wines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Western Australia, Australia
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, lemon, grapefruit, apricot, vanilla, biscuit, pastry, cloves, hazelnut, cinnamon, almond

## About this wine

The Stella Bella Chardonnay 2023 is a single-varietal Chardonnay from Margaret River, Western Australia. Produced by Stella Bella Wines, it is made from 100% Gin Gin clone fruit. The wine originates from vineyards in the southern part of Margaret River, benefiting from a milder 2023 vintage. Stella Bella Wines is a boutique producer established in 1997, known for its focus on expressing the purity of Margaret River fruit through elegant and complex wines. The winery owns five vineyards across the southern region, each with distinct soil types and microclimates.

## Interesting facts

- Sourced from vineyards including Luminosa and Forest Grove.
- Features the Gin Gin clone, known for zesty citrus.
- Uses wild yeast fermentation for complexity.
- 13,000 bottles produced.

## Food pairing

The wine's invigorating acidity cuts through the richness of creamy dishes and fatty proteins like pork, while its mineral notes complement seafood. Citrus elements in the wine can echo or contrast with citrus-based sauces and marinades.

## Wine making process

The Stella Bella Chardonnay 2023 is produced using hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed fruit. Fermentation is carried out using wild yeasts in French oak barriques. Following a 24-hour cold settling, the wine undergoes no malolactic fermentation. It is then aged for 9-10 months in French oak barriques, with 31-37% new oak, and matured on lees with regular stirring. The vineyards are dry-grown, and sustainable practices are employed.