We’ve had the pleasure of looking back at some of our older vintages (2018, 19, 21, 22) of Chardonnay over the past few weeks. What a treat it’s been!

Most wine enthusiasts recognise that it’s worth decanting an aged red wine, but many don’t think about decanting whites.

So, what are the benefits of decanting aged whites? Well, fine Chardonnay in particular, is much better when it’s not served ice cold, so sitting in a decanter for half an hour allows it to warm up a little. But it’s more than just temperature. All those gorgeous aromas and flavours have been locked up inside a glass bottle and cap for years, so it takes a little time for them to unravel and open out, finally revealing their true selves!

We examined our Chardonnays over two occasions. One without decanting, and one with. Straight out of the bottle without decanting our 2018 Chardonnay was a pleasant drink, smoky and almost Chablis-like in style. However on a different occasion a couple of weeks later we decanted a bottle, taking the first sip after 15 minutes spent in the decanter and the difference was incredible. The wine continued to breathe over the hour or so as we drank it, gradually revealing its true magnificence. It became more creamy, buttery, soft, round and complex.

Do you need a fancy decanter? No is the simple answer. We just used an ordinary glass jug. The key is to tip the wine in with a nice gentle pour, allowing air to penetrate the liquid, then simply leave it to sit it on a table for 15 to 30 minutes.

If you’re keen to explore decanting aged whites, we highly recommend our current release 2022 vintage Chardonnay which reveals some beautiful characters when it opens up.