Windows Estate- Petit Lot Mousseux 2020

Mousseux is produced from 24 year old Chenin Blanc vines from Home block, located in the center of the property. The oldest plantings on the farm dating back to 1996 are located on this site, with the vines having a North/South orientation.

Soil Type(s): Ancient laterite, clay and granite soils

A wine that was inspired by wine produced in the Loire Valley. Leading up to harvest, the canopy of the cane-pruned Chenin Blanc vines was deliberately left untouched to ensure the fruit was shaded, helping the grapes retain their natural acidity. The grapes were carefully handpicked at low Baumés and were immediately crushed and pressed. After three months of lees contact the dry base wine was bottled and inoculated for its secondary fermentation. As the traditional method dictates, that fermentation took place in each individual bottle over the course of two years. The residual sugar after dosage is minimal, this wine could be classified Extra-Brut in Champagne. Primary ferment was started by native yeasts.

After a relatively warm start to the season this year’s harvest began early in February, roughly two weeks earlier than the previous year. Following a wet winter Margaret River saw ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set in spring. The dry and calm conditions during flowering resulted in a healthy and evenly distributed crop with lots of small berries across white varieties. The crops on the reds were much lighter, down approximately 30%. This would eventually result in excellent concentration and flavor development down the line. Temperatures were moderate throughout the growing season without any severe heat waves, and the vines received just the right amount of rain at regular intervals. There was little to no disease pressure, and the Marri trees on our property were flowering at the right time thus keeping the birds away from the fruit. The canopies remained very healthy without showing any signs of stress throughout. The entire vineyard was looking so healthy that in the days leading up to harvest it seemed like there was an almost luminescent glow about it. Overall, the summer was a relatively mild one with bursts of heat allowing for an excellent growing season. The resulting wines are layered and showing excellent complexity even at a very early stage.

Oysters, Scallop Sashimi, Pan Seared Scallops, Shrimp Cocktail, Okonomiyaki, Eggs, Green Apples, Celery, Celtuce, Pan Seared White Fish

• Coastal, Japanese, Vegetarian, Aussie