Following a winter on-par with long term averages for rainfalls and temperatures, the growing season was quite dry from the start. The temperatures from flowering all the way to the last days of harvest were also mild to warm, without heat spike. This created the perfect conditions for an absolute legend of a vintage, with no pressure in the vineyards and all the latitude for the winemakers to allow the best ripening time and harvest at the peak of each variety’s flavors. This vintage is sure to stay in Margaret River winemakers memories as the reference for a perfect season. 

Our Chardonnay is made from fruit harvested at our Challis vineyard, in the Wallcliffe area. A blend of Gin Gin selection and clone 95, the blocks chosen for this wine are cane-pruned and VSP-trained, with extensive leaf plucking to allow good air flow in this cool but sunny pocket of the best Margaret River white vineyard area. 

The fruit was picked mid-March. We use selective harvester in the coolest hours of the night and transport the fruit to the winery for pressing before sunrise. Pressing was complete by 7am the next morning and the juice was racked off only the coarser solids, leaving all the fine lees to bring texture to the ferments. Fermentation was long and cool, around 13c and on French oak. Maturation on lees followed for about 6 months with limited stirring (battonage) to further enhance the creamy texture. No malolactic fermentation was used in this vintage to showcase the purity of the ripe fruit characters and retain the wine’s long fine acidity.

Fragrant citrus blossoms, grapefruit, papaya and floral notes fill the nose, complemented by biscuity spice and creamy oak. The straight-forward minerality and sharpening stone aromas further add to the complexity.

The palate presents a perfect balance already in the wine’s youth, with a medium frame and a creamy texture for great immediate drinking. The flavours are varietal complex and finely weaved, exuding ripe melon, juicy stone fruit and musk. Powerful and elegant with a great freshness, the wine showcases the southern Margaret River terroir and microclimate. While fruit and mineral notes dominate in this wine’s youth, more patina will develop with age and bring forward the creaminess and nutty flavours that support the palate. The persistent flavours of dragon fruit and spiced poach pear linger and invite another sip.