Dalwhinnie `The Hut` Chardonnay 2011 (12 x 750mL), Pyrenees, VIC.

Red 5 Star Winery - James Halliday Wine Companion

Dalwhinnie, so named because of its Scottish family connection, is a unique vineyard producing award-winning wines of great structure and varietal character. Dalwhinnie is located near the historic goldminning township of Moonambel in the northern spur of the Pyrenees wine region, 200 kilometers from Melbourne. Ewan Jones, prominent Ballarat architect, established the 128 hectare property in 1972, the first vintage was made in 1976 and the first commercial release wasn't until 1980. Dalwhinnie has 18 hectares under vine and crops approximately 7 tonnes per hectare.

The vineyard is situated in a natural amphitheater and is the highest vineyard in the Pyrenees region ranging between 360 and 595 meters above sea level. This height combined with the vineyard location gives the vines a frost free and disease free environment. The site was also chosen for its well drained soils. The fragile shale, quartz and clay soils of the bygone mining era now lend themselves to the production of super premium dry table wines.

Traditional methods of viticulture are practiced, the grapes are handpicked from the gnarled old vines at Dalwhinnie and are transmitted into wines of rich bouquet, full flavor and distinction with a worldwide reputation. The excellence and consistency achieved by successive vintages of each Dalwhinnie wine is widely recognized in Australia and becoming increasingly acknowledged by connoisseurs throughout the world. The striking varietal intensity and proven capability to age gracefully for many years has placed Dalwhinnie at the forefront of Australia's finest producers of single vineyard varietal wines.