Sam and Jimmy have identified the most suitable clones of Chardonnay in the UK for their clonal project at Beare Green Winery.

Chardonnay clones such as 95, 96 and 121 all offer unique characteristics, aromas and flavours that are intriguing as standalone wines or utilised for balance and complexity in blends.

Clone 95: This clone was certified in 1971 hailing from the Côte-d’Or in Burgundy, France. It is appreciated for its regularity of production, its agronomic characteristics and the quality of the wines obtained. It displays fine aromas, a rich and balanced structure with good sugar levels and restrained acidity which is useful in the UK.

Our 2022 St. Mary’s 95 clone is a delight. This Chardonnay is lifted and complex, with aromatic notes of chamomile, saffron, lemon peel and fresh grapefruit, botanicals and green almond and flinty note.

The palate is dry, with a chalky acidity, balanced but lively with a layered and long finish.

This wine went through a gentle and slow natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel lasting 4 months with a total ageing on gross lees for 12 months to add reductive, flinty notes. The wine completed malolactic conversion during its long ageing.