Tasting Note From south facing 24-year-old vines, this shows lovely richness, fruit concentration and depth. Whereas the neighbouring, younger-vine, hilltop Churchside (an obvious comparison) is more tender and showing more wood, this is richer, more fruit-driven and less oak-apparent. Expect lovely floral, mineral and yellow pear and plum notes on the nose with background hazelnut and spice. It is medium weight, fleshy yet just tight enough. Generous and sophisticated. The length is excellent to outstanding. This is ready to enjoy but should last nicely into the early 2030s. Tasted November 2025.
Backgrounder Closson Chase is a PEC original, first planted in 1999 by Deborah Paskus, with its first vintage in 2004. It is owned by film producer Seaton McLean and actress Sonja Smits, and they have created one of the most colourful, welcoming and tasteful properties in the County. The big purple barn has been the landmark since 2002, followed by the now iconic hillside church across the road. Assistant winemaker Keith Tyers took over in 2015 and has continued to keep the bar high. Coming out of Covid in 2022, the hospitality experience was enhanced by the addition of the Bantam Farmhouse restaurant. This vintage of South Clos Chardonnay was whole cluster pressed, fermented and aged in 500-litre French oak barrels for 16 months, with 20% new wood, and it went through full malolactic fermentation. It was released in the fall of 2025.
