Summary: Mania allows Jim Chatto to broaden his Tasmanian winemaking outside the Huon Valley, leveraging friendships built over the years to source parcels of fruit from small growers across the state. The Mania Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as a slightly more approachable expression of the Chatto style, perfect for leading restaurants. 
 
Vineyard: The Mania Chardonnay is sourced solely from the Iron Pot Bay Vineyard in the Tamar Valley, with just over five acres of Chardonnay planted in 1988 to a “modified” lyre trellis.
 
Winemaking: Completely whole bunch pressed to barrel before being allowed to ferment naturally using wild yeast. Malolactic fermentation also allowed to being naturally and partially complete. Matured for twelve months in French oak puncheons, twenty percent new with battonage for three months post fermentation. 
 
2017 Vintage:  2017 is certainly considered a wonderful year across Tasmania, although it kicked off with a nervy wetter and cooler than usual beginning. The summer that ensued was dry, warm and even delivering complex fruit characters at full flavour and phenolic ripeness. The yields were reduced due to the smaller bunches this season so 2017 will be in limited supply but over-all the wines are looking terrific. 

Tasting Note: The subtlety of fragrant fruit and floral nuance is very enticing. White flowers with stone-fruits, citrus and minerality are evenly distributed along a very fine but intensely flavoured palate. The wine is long, fine and with beautifully integrated fruit, oak characters and natural acidity it will further improve over the coming months in bottle.