Jacob’s Creek has released the first white wine in its Double Barrel range – a Chardonnay which has been crafted in aged Scotch whisky barrels.
In creating the Double Barrel Chardonnay, Jacob’s Creek winemaker split the juice in half, with the first half being fermented in whisky barrels, then matured in wine barrels while the second half is fermented in wine barrels and matured in whisky barrels.
Smith said that this process provides two different flavour profiles, which are then blended together to create a finish which she describes as “both unique and unexpected”.
“Double Barrel Chardonnay breaks conventions and challenges all the expectations you have of Chardonnay because it is made so differently,” Smith said.
“We chose to make our first Double Barrel white from Chardonnay because the variety works so well in oak. But Scotch whisky barrels are very different from French oak wine barrels. With Scotch whisky barrels, the oak is significantly coarser while the staves are narrower and charred black with intense heat; the overall effect is increased oxygen ingression. This yielded characteristics we hadn’t seen before in Chardonnay.
“It’s not like any Chardonnay you have ever tasted. It has delicious intense ripe citrus flavours with complex aromas of toasted malt, cut apples and peanut brittle. The palate is fresh and vibrant – tightly defined with a firm structure due to the influence of the whisky barrel, and softened by a delicate creamy texture on the back palate.
“It’s not Chardonnay; it’s Double Barrel Chardonnay and it’s something totally new.”
This is the first white launched under the Double Barrel range, which already has a Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon available. The Chardonnay has a $24.99 RRP and is available now from all liquor retailers.