Eight at the Gate Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Chardonnay sits on the fence of many a wine enthusiast. Versatile, kind in nature and oh so compliant, however for most it's still dressed in attire that's so distinctly... 90s. Shoulder pads, overalls and bike shorts saw this particular version of white wine with such a wooded vengeance, we were practically asking the chefs to take the butter out of the meals to make way for it. Thankfully however, times are a changin'. Underneath all that 90s getup reveals elegance and sophistication and Australia is doing its bit to make Chardy interesting again.

The Limestone Cost comprises a few sub-regions you've likely already heard of, such as the acclaimed Coonawarra. But in amongst the known are some hardly knowns that you may miss, and shouldn't.

Wrattonbully, Mount Benson and Padthaway – feel free to read up on these in more detail, but here's an overview.

History

With vines dating back to the 1970's, Wrattonbully grew to fame in the early 90's when larger producers like Hardy's and Beringer Blass began planting. Primarily a red region, with shiraz and cabernet sauvignon in quantity.

Mount Benson, first planted in 1989, is a newcomer to the South Australian industry. It has quickly established itself as on par with it's older cousins, producing excellent cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and chardonnay. Cool ocean breezes aid in producing complex, deeply flavoured wines.

Padthaway, like the Coonawarra, has the same red-gold soil, but warmer temperatures overall. Similar in climate to the