Specifications
Vintage: 2023
Region: Barossa Valley
Winemaker: Joanne Irvine
Alcohol/Vol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 0.7g/L
Case Size: 6 packs
2023 CHARLI JAYE CHARDONNAY
$40.00
Our Chardonnay is named after our youngest granddaughter Charli – she is ambitious and sophisticated, much like this wine.
Our 2023 Charli Jaye Eden Valley Chardonnay captures the elegance of a cool season and the purity that our high altitude region does so beautifully. In the glass, it gleams a pale straw colour with youthful green highlights, bright and hinting at freshness and precision. The nose is lifted and refined with aromas of white peach and nectarine opening first, followed by citrus blossom, green apple, and a whisper of grapefruit zest. Subtle layers of cashew and almond appear from careful oak maturation, while a delicate flinty note adds a touch of mineral intrigue, a reflection of our Eden Valley’s cooler Chardonnay site.
On the palate, our style is both vibrant and silky. Juicy stone fruits glide softly with peach, nectarine, and lemon curd, dancing with a bright line of citrus acidity that brings energy and definition. There’s
a gentle creaminess through the mid-palate, giving texture without heaviness. French Oak sits quietly in the background, contributing hints of vanilla pod and spice. A subtle saline edge and fine mineral thread add sophistication and length, keeping the wine taut and refreshing.
Our Chardonnay speaks of balance, rather than excess, pairing beautifully with roast chicken, grilled seafoods, creamy pasta, or simply good conversations on a cool evening.
Our 2023 Charli Jaye Eden Valley Chardonnay captures the elegance of a cool season and the purity that our high altitude region does so beautifully.
In the glass, it gleams a pale straw colour with youthful green highlights, bright and hinting at freshness and precision.
The nose is lifted and refined with aromas of white peach and nectarine opening first, followed by citrus blossom, green apple, and a whisper of grapefruit zest. Subtle layers of cashew and almond
appear from careful oak maturation, while a delicate flinty note adds a touch of mineral intrigue, a reflection of our Eden Valley’s cooler Chardonnay site.
On the palate, our style is both vibrant and silky. Juicy stone fruits glide softly with peach, nectarine, and lemon curd, dancing with a bright line of citrus acidity that brings energy and definition. There’s
a gentle creaminess through the mid-palate, giving texture without heaviness. French Oak sits quietly in the background, contributing hints of vanilla pod and spice. A subtle saline edge and fine mineral thread add sophistication and length, keeping the wine taut and refreshing.
Our Chardonnay speaks of balance rather than excess, pairing beautifully with roast chicken, grilled seafoods, creamy pasta, or simply good conversations on a cool evening.
Due to the rising costs we have stopped entering our wines into as many wine shows and wine reviewers, but rest assured that you’ll enjoy the same great quality from our wines, year after year.
Historical record of achievement:
2021 – Silver | 2024 London Wine Competition | “Notes of apricot, stone fruit, white peach, dairy, vibrant tropical fruits. Flavours of apricot, stone fruit, and white peach continue to shine, accompanied by a mineral, mouth-watering acidity that adds depth & complexity.”
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2020 – Double Gold | 2023 Melbourne International Wine Competition
2020 – Silver | 2023 London Wine Competition | “Good Complexity and structure. On the nose jasmine and quince peels. On the palate notes of Lemon , herbs , cream and vanilla. Long rich yet dry finish.”
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2019 – Overall Winner | New to Market Treat Yourself Whites | 2023 Peoples Choice Wine Awards UK
2019 – Gold | 2022 London Wine Competition | “Balanced, rich character with aromas of vanilla, butter, peaches, oak and cream. Smooth, creamy palate with notes of brioche, buttered toast, nuts, white flowers and vanilla with a subtle finish.”
2019 – Silver | 2022 International Wine Competition | “Ripe tropical fruit character with creamy texture and a generous dollop of oak.”
2019 – 94 Points | Winepilot – Ken Gargett | “Colour is gold and straw. A lovely aromatic nose with good oak integration. Stone fruit, nutmeg and ginger here. Some tropical touches. Those who don’t mind a touch of oak, and there are plenty of fans of that style out there, will love this riper style. Richly flavoured and stone fruit notes really emerge on the palate with orange rind and quince. Quite delicious. Drink over the next two to three years. Really enjoyed this. Would make a terrific match for a richer seafood dish.” March 2022
2019 – 92 Points | Winepilot – Angus Hughson | “Bright pale straw in colour, this is a well composed cooler climate Chardonnay that is quite floral in character with layers of ripe nectarine and melon aromas wound up in a cloak of cashew barrel ferment and oak maturation – all well integrated. It’s a tangy little number too with upfront impact thanks to that juicy acidity; layers of tinned peach fruit and spicy oak coming together to deliver what is a top- notch version of Eden Valley Chardonnay.” March 2022
2019 – 91 Points | James Suckling | “This ripe and bold Chardonnay has stacks of pear, mandarin-orange and vanilla aromas. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit and toasty character, the crisp lemony acidity lifting the ample finish.” November 2022
2019 – Bronze Medal | 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards | “Toasty, oaky nose with tropical fruits and honeydew. Quite a voluptuous style which has a mineral undertone.”
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2018 – Gold | 2020 Melbourne International Wine Competition (95 points)
2018 – 94 Points | Wine Orbit | “It’s stylish and complex on the nose showing apricot, fig, vanillin oak, popcorn and subtle spice aromas, followed by a beautifully weighted palate displaying expansive mouthfeel backed by bright acidity. Generous yet refined and poised with a persistent silky finish.” ~Sam Kim~
2018 – 93 Points | Australia’s National Liquor News, March 2021 Tasting | “Deliciously moreish. Complex butterscotch and vanilla, silky over generous citrus flavours. Finishes clean and refreshing, ready for a second sip.” ~Michael Mcintosh~
2018 – 90 Points | The Real Review | “Rich, creamy chardonnay with peach, apple, toast, cashew nut and spicy oak flavours. Weighty wine with a pleasing texture. Accessible now but should continue to offer pleasing drinking for another 4-5 years. Drink by 2028.” ~Bob Campbell~
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2017 – Silver | 2020 London Wine Competition
2017 – Silver | 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition
2017 – 91 Points | National Liquor News, March 2020 edition | “Cheesecake on the nose. Very unique flavours. Palate is very bright and acidic.” (The NLN tasting team deduced that “Cool climate is where Chardonnay seems to be finding its home.” …we couldn’t agree more!)
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2016 – Silver | 2018 San Francisco International Wine Show
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2015 (first release) – Top 20 Premium Chardonnays | Drinks Magazine Australia, April/May 2016 edition
2023 Vintage Summary
Overcoming challenges posed by a delayed harvest in the cool, wet summer, our team meticulously crafted outstanding whites, including Pinot Gris and the revered 1896 Mackenzie William Riesling and the gorgeous Charli Jaye Chardonnay. Meticulously picked reds followed suit, capturing the essence of ripe, high-quality fruit. A historic milestone was reached with the inaugural crush in our state-of-the-art winery and our first bottling in our brand-new bottling plant. Savour the culmination of a remarkable year with each sip of our 2023 vintage—a testament to perseverance and refined winemaking.
This year, the Eden Valley region experienced a wetter and cooler summer than usual, shaping a growing season that tested our mettle, but ultimately rewarded us with exceptional quality. With meticulous care and a dash of tenacity, our team navigated the challenges Mother Nature presented, producing wines that reflect the essence of our vineyard.
This vintage commenced later than usual, with the first harvest taking place on March 22nd. Unfolding over the course of five to six weeks, this vintage encapsulated the allure of a cooler growing season, punctuated by abundant canopy growth. While lower temps extended ripening periods slightly, our vineyard thrived as our deep seated vine roots soaked up some of that wonderful moisture and yields met our expectations.
Our whites; Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and our prized 1896 Mackenzie William Riesling, sourced from vines with a remarkable 127-year history, were among the first to be harvested. Picked in the dark hours of early morning, these grapes reached our tanks by nightfall, ensuring optimal freshness and flavour. The reds followed suit, their time in the spotlight arriving just over a week later. The picking schedule was carefully planned to capture ripe, high-quality fruit with care and precision, allowing us to crush by the first week of April.
Beyond the vineyard, this vintage held a significant milestone for Brockenchack – the inaugural crush in our state-of-the-art winery. With all hands-on deck, and excitement in the air as history was being made right in front of them, our vineyard team carefully nurtured our fruit as it embarked on its transformative journey, from harvest to bottling, spanned nearly three months for our whites and rosé (including two weeks devoted to bottling), ensuring the essence of the 2023 vintage was preserved. But for our reds, this journey will be a little longer as they develop their characteristics and complexity in French oak barrels spanning a 12 –24-month period.
As the curtain falls on another remarkable vintage, we raise our glasses in celebration of an exceptional year and commend the unwavering dedication and expertise of our viticulture team, who (as with any year) help to navigate and overcome the season’s challenges. The wines born from this harvest embody the harmonious interplay of nature’s offerings and the winemaking craft. We eagerly anticipate the moment when you unwind with a bottle of our 2023 vintage, allowing its flavours to dance on your palate and transport you to the vibrant terroir of the Eden Valley.
Sip, savour, and revel in the result of a year’s labour – a testament to perseverance, quality, and the art of winemaking.
