Ministry of Clouds Tasmania Chardonnay 2021

Ministry of Clouds Tasmania Chardonnay 2021

 

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Ministry of Clouds
Tasmania Chardonnay 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Australia
  • Region : Tasmania
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 12,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

The Ministry of Clouds Tasmania Chardonnay is a pure, tightly structured expression of Tasmanian Chardonnay, celebrated for its vibrant acidity and minerality.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 96 2020
JH James Halliday 94 2019
JS James Suckling 93 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Tasmania Chardonnay is sourced from an exceptional vineyard on Tasmania's East Coast, first planted in 1979. This remote, cool-climate area is renowned for producing Chardonnay with depth and freshness, where the low-yielding vines develop intense flavors and a distinct minerality. The East Coast’s unique terroir, with its cool, maritime influence and well-drained soils, allows the grapes to ripen slowly, preserving natural acidity while building concentrated flavors.

Tasmania’s challenging conditions and longer growing season enable the Chardonnay to develop a bright, defined acid line and a complexity that reflects the unique characteristics of the site. This vintage brought a balance of cool temperatures and sunshine, allowing for a Chardonnay with both aromatic precision and layered complexity, capturing the "frontier spirit" of Tasmania.

Winemaking

The Ministry of Clouds Tasmania Chardonnay is crafted with a focus on purity and texture. The grapes were handpicked and gently whole-bunch pressed directly into old barrels for fermentation, ensuring minimal intervention. After fermentation, all barrels were topped and treated with sulfur to prevent malolactic fermentation, preserving the wine’s natural acidity and freshness.

The wine was then matured on light lees in old oak barrels for 11 months. The lees were stirred sparingly early in the aging process, adding subtle textural complexity without overshadowing the Chardonnay’s delicate aromatics. This careful winemaking approach highlights the intense stone fruit core and chalky minerality, creating a wine with both finesse and power.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale straw with greenish highlights, reflecting its freshness.
  • Aroma: Subtle yet complex, with notes of white flowers, peach, green nectarine, and hints of nougat and gentle wood spice.
  • Palate: A bedrock of chalky minerality supports flavors of ripe stone fruit. The finish is crisp and lingering, framed by a precise acid line that adds vibrancy and balance.

Did You Know?

This Chardonnay reflects the pioneering spirit of Ministry of Clouds, exploring Tasmania’s cool and remote terroir to capture a unique profile of freshness and vibrancy rarely found in more traditional regions.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Japanese-style salmon carpaccio with avocado and yuzu dressing: Complements the wine’s acidity and minerality, enhancing the citrus and umami flavors.
  • Grilled lobster with herb butter: The wine’s fresh acidity balances the richness of lobster.
  • Roasted cauliflower with tahini and almonds: Enhances the wine’s minerality and brings out its nutty nuances.
  • Oysters with a mignonette sauce: Highlights the wine’s crisp, mineral backbone, pairing beautifully with the briny freshness of oysters.

History of Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds was founded in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood with a singular purpose: to create wines designed with gastronomy in mind. This venture was born from their shared desire to live a life immersed in wine—to be their own distinct voice in a bustling industry. After years spent working for others, they sought the freedom to focus on varieties and vineyards they truly loved, savoring the independence to experiment, take risks, and fuel the passion that drives them.

Their love for wine began long before their journey into viticulture and winemaking. Both began their careers with Australia’s finest importers of rare and fine old-world wines, gaining profound exposure to the best of Burgundy, Piedmont, the Rhône, and beyond. Building on this foundation, they transitioned to working for renowned family-owned wineries in McLaren Vale, amassing a combined 16 years of experience. This period allowed them to connect with growers, explore vineyards, observe the seasons’ nuances, and, most importantly, taste extensively across McLaren Vale.

These years taught them the dedication and sheer resolve needed to identify and cultivate exceptional vineyards, to shepherd the resulting fruit through fermentation and aging, and to find partners worldwide willing to share these stories. It was during this journey that they realized that if they wanted to continue in the world of wine, they needed to work for themselves and create their own wines.

Thus, Ministry of Clouds was born. The name symbolizes the illusion of control in winemaking. For these two perfectionists working with nature, it serves as a comforting reminder that the magic of winemaking relies as much on the arbitrary and unpredictable as it does on their intent and precision. They govern what they can; the rest is left to chance. Perhaps that’s simply life itself…

Region and Vineyards

Based in McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds has access to some of Australia’s most diverse and ancient terroirs. McLaren Vale itself, with its warm, Mediterranean climate and complex geological composition, provides ideal conditions for growing Shiraz and Grenache. The Ministry of Clouds team prioritizes sustainable vineyard practices across its sites, combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques to enhance soil health and vine resilience.

Ministry of Clouds owns the Chase Vineyard, an 11-hectare plot situated on the dramatic slopes of the Onkaparinga Gorge. This vineyard, established on rock formations dating back over 650 million years, is planted on Maslin Sand and Ironstone soils that create a low-yield environment, concentrating flavors in the fruit. Perched at around 200 meters in elevation, the vineyard’s location exposes it to cooling breezes, which helps maintain acidity and adds to the aromatic intensity of the wines. This unique combination of soil, altitude, and climate results in wines with structure, freshness, and a deep sense of place.

In addition to McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds sources fruit from carefully selected, sustainably managed sites in the Clare Valley and Tasmania. The Clare Valley vineyards, known for their limestone-rich soils, produce vibrant Riesling with high acidity and minerality. Tasmania’s cool-climate vineyards offer a distinctive style of Chardonnay, with brightness and precision that contrast with McLaren Vale’s fuller-bodied reds. This commitment to sourcing from diverse regions across Australia enables Ministry of Clouds to create a nuanced portfolio, each wine reflecting the character of its origin.

Wine Range of Ministry of Clouds

The Ministry of Clouds portfolio showcases key varietals that highlight Australia’s regional diversity, including:

  • Ministry of Clouds Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Shiraz: Showcased in both single-vineyard expressions from Blewitt Springs and Onkaparinga Rocks, with each bottling representing the terroir of McLaren Vale.
  • Ministry of Clouds Grenache: Known for its delicate red fruit, fine tannins, and aromatic layers, sourced from old vines in McLaren Vale.
  • Ministry of Clouds Tasmania Chardonnay: Sourced primarily from Tasmania, bringing a fresh, cool-climate elegance and minerality to the portfolio.
  • Ministry of Clouds Clare Valley Riesling: From Clare Valley, characterized by vibrant acidity, purity, and intense mineral notes.
  • Ministry of Clouds Kintsugi: A unique blend inspired by the Japanese art of “golden joinery,” where each varietal component is thoughtfully integrated to create harmony and complexity.

Did You Know?

The name "Ministry of Clouds" symbolizes the founders’ philosophy of embracing both old and new winemaking approaches, grounded in tradition yet open to innovation. The winery is committed to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification for all its vineyards, underscoring their dedication to environmental responsibility and the long-term health of the land.

History of Ministry of Clouds

Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood founded Ministry of Clouds after years of working in Australia’s wine industry, where they developed a shared passion for crafting wines that honor the land and the nuances of each site. Their journey was fueled by a desire for independence and creativity, culminating in the establishment of Ministry of Clouds, a winery devoted to small-batch production and sustainable practices. Their aim has been to blend traditional winemaking with a forward-thinking philosophy, emphasizing transparency, integrity, and respect for nature.

Bernice and Julian left established careers at iconic wine estates to follow this vision, adopting an approach that balances precision with restraint. Their work is rooted in sustainable viticulture and low-intervention winemaking, inspired by their belief that great wines require minimal influence in the cellar. Ministry of Clouds has rapidly gained a reputation for the clarity and expressiveness of its wines, capturing the essence of each vineyard. They are committed to creating wines that resonate both with wine enthusiasts and with the land itself, respecting the unique stories and histories that each vintage brings.

Region and Vineyards

Based in McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds has access to some of Australia’s most diverse and ancient terroirs. McLaren Vale itself, with its warm, Mediterranean climate and complex geological composition, provides ideal conditions for growing Shiraz and Grenache. The Ministry of Clouds team prioritizes sustainable vineyard practices across its sites, combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques to enhance soil health and vine resilience.

Ministry of Clouds owns the Chase Vineyard, an 11-hectare plot situated on the dramatic slopes of the Onkaparinga Gorge. This vineyard, established on rock formations dating back over 650 million years, is planted on Maslin Sand and Ironstone soils that create a low-yield environment, concentrating flavors in the fruit. Perched at around 200 meters in elevation, the vineyard’s location exposes it to cooling breezes, which helps maintain acidity and adds to the aromatic intensity of the wines. This unique combination of soil, altitude, and climate results in wines with structure, freshness, and a deep sense of place.

In addition to McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds sources fruit from carefully selected, sustainably managed sites in the Clare Valley and Tasmania. The Clare Valley vineyards, known for their limestone-rich soils, produce vibrant Riesling with high acidity and minerality. Tasmania’s cool-climate vineyards offer a distinctive style of Chardonnay, with brightness and precision that contrast with McLaren Vale’s fuller-bodied reds. This commitment to sourcing from diverse regions across Australia enables Ministry of Clouds to create a nuanced portfolio, each wine reflecting the character of its origin.

Wine Range of Ministry of Clouds

The Ministry of Clouds portfolio showcases key varietals that highlight Australia’s regional diversity, including:

  • Shiraz: Showcased in both single-vineyard expressions from Blewitt Springs and Onkaparinga Rocks, with each bottling representing the terroir of McLaren Vale.
  • Grenache: Known for its delicate red fruit, fine tannins, and aromatic layers, sourced from old vines in McLaren Vale.
  • Chardonnay: Sourced primarily from Tasmania, bringing a fresh, cool-climate elegance and minerality to the portfolio.
  • Riesling: From Clare Valley, characterized by vibrant acidity, purity, and intense mineral notes.
  • Kintsugi: A unique blend inspired by the Japanese art of “golden joinery,” where each varietal component is thoughtfully integrated to create harmony and complexity.

Did You Know?

The name "Ministry of Clouds" symbolizes the founders’ philosophy of embracing both old and new winemaking approaches, grounded in tradition yet open to innovation. The winery is committed to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification for all its vineyards, underscoring their dedication to environmental responsibility and the long-term health of the land.

Robert Parker (RP) : 96 Points (2020)
What a beauty this wine is. The 2020 Tasmanian Chardonnay is pithy, spicy and sprinkled with freshly shaved parmesan (very faint). There is a lovely nutty character (despite malolactic fermentation being avoided) of crushed nuts, and it is texturally taut. This is a bit flinty and good. The I10V1 clone fruit was whole-bunch pressed. This is possessed of tendrils of mouthwatering acidity—it is really polished and exciting. The acid acts as a structuring component in the mouth. I love this.

James Halliday (JH) : 94 Points (2019)
A pioneering vineyard on the isle’s east coast, yielding little. Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed to old French oak barriques and left to ferment spontaneously. A fantastic nose reminiscent of cooler hands in Burgundy and the Jura: cheesecloth, lanolin and a hint of stone fruits. The mineral carapace, impressive. The acidity, juicy and natural. The structure, the totem. Presumably malolactic happened a bit by virtue of the minimalist handling. But not much, suggested by its chiselled precision.Stellar wine in the making.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2019)
There’s a powerful and vividly fresh feel to this wine with peach, lemon and pastry notes. Super pure. The palate has a silky textural quality with bright acidity holding fresh and long. Drink now.

Ministry of Clouds Shiraz 2022
Ministry of Clouds Shiraz 2022
Ministry of Clouds
Shiraz 2022
JS
93
RP
95
The Ministry of Clouds Shiraz is a fresh, vibrant expression of McLaren Vale Shiraz, blending structure with finesse.
26,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ministry of Clouds Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Shiraz 2020
Ministry of Clouds Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Shiraz 2020
Ministry of Clouds
Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Shiraz 2020
RP
97
Produced from old vines planted in 1960, this Shiraz highlights a deep blue-fruit profile, laced with aromatic complexity and framed by fine tannins.
55,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ministry of Clouds Onkaparinga Rocks Shiraz 2020
Ministry of Clouds Onkaparinga Rocks Shiraz 2020
Ministry of Clouds
Onkaparinga Rocks Shiraz 2020
RP
97
Sourced from the steeply sloped Chase Vineyard in the Onkaparinga Gorge, this Shiraz captures both power and finesse, with intense fruit flavors layered over a mineral-driven structure.
55,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ministry of Clouds Kintsugi 2018
Ministry of Clouds Kintsugi 2018
Ministry of Clouds
Kintsugi 2018
RP
97
Crafted with the concept of “Kintsugi,” this wine represents the beauty of blending select parcels from each vintage, creating a layered and harmonious expression.
75,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ministry of Clouds Clare Valley Riesling 2021
Ministry of Clouds Clare Valley Riesling 2021
Ministry of Clouds
Clare Valley Riesling 2021
RP
94
Crafted from carefully selected vineyard sites in Watervale, Penwortham, and Sevenhill, this wine reflects a cool vintage, resulting in a fresh, crisp profile with intense minerality and acidity.
26,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
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39,90 €
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