Amen Break Chardonnay

The Amen Break has become the most sampled drumbeat in musical history. It is considered the foundation rhythmic beat for the much of the electronic musical genre (Trip Hop, Drum ’n Bass, Jungle, Psych Trance etc.) that exploded in the late 80’s and early 90s of last century.

The Amen Break wines, setup by brothers Matt and Steve Harrop, have been making (sound) waves of their own lately. The 2015 Chardonnay recently took out the trophy for Best Chardonnay at the Royal Sydney Wine Show, and the Central Otago Pinot Noir has been landing on some of the best wine lists in the country.

Vineyards

Quarry Ridge Vineyard is planted on the site of an old bluestone quarry, 550m above sea level near Kilmore, 100km north of Melbourne in the beautiful Victorian Highlands.

These vines are now nearing 30 years old, and produce a small crop of concentrated fruit each year. This is a cold place, so crops must be low and farming must be exact. Vineyards are monitored daily in the weeks leading to harvest, then picked at the moment acidity, sugar and flavour are in balance.

Vinification

All harvest is done by hand, the winemaking is simple but precise.

Fermentation is in used French oak hogsheads. Naturally occurring vineyard yeasts conduct the fermentation, and the wine matures in contact with these same yeasts for up to 12 months before bottling.

No fining is used and the wine is minimally filtered.

Tasting Notes

The palate is very concentrated, with fig, pear, wet stones, and a hint of mealy phenolic at the finish. Acidity is bright and frames the palate beautifully. This is a totally modern, thoroughly authentic expression of cool grown, high altitude chardonnay.