2022 Chardonnay Margaret River
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Tasting notes
84% Gingin, 16% Bernard 95, 96 and 76 clones. From Wallcliffe, Wilyabrup, Carbanup and Karridale. Picked 17 February to 9 March. Some sections were hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed and transferred to French oak barriques as unclarified juice for fermentation. The balance was Selectiv-process machine-harvested and direct pressed with very high solids to French oak barrique (44% new, 56% 1–3 years old). All batches were fermented with ambient yeasts from the vineyard. Aged on the lees in barrel for 8 months, with an additional 6 months after blending in the cellar. TA 6.5 g/l, pH 3.17. The first wine in the line-up (I'm about 20 in) to show a touch of smoky reduction. Underneath that is pure citrus fruit. Crisp, tight, almost eye-watering in its freshness yet just in balance. Firm, nicely chewy texture and gently spiced aftertaste. (JH)
Critic scores
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Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
I love this little wine, and I am so glad to see it again in this lovely 2022 vintage context. The 2022 DHJ1 Single Plot Chardonnay is 100% Gingin clone from the Wallcliffe area of Margaret River. The vines are planted in gravel loam over clay, and the fruit was handpicked at a yield of 3.9 tonnes per hectare. Free-run juice was fermented wild, and the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. It is interesting to comment on yield, as the tonne per hectare amount doesn't tell us much about the yield per vine, which is actually what the measurement is indicating. Suffice to say, Gingin clone Chardonnay seems to be relatively low yielding, especially when on its own roots, which much of it is in the region. So, on the nose, I get crushed shells, scratched citrus, baked lemon tart, salted macadamia, blonde tobacco and white peach. On the palate, the wine is possessed of salivating acidity and powerful fruit, and all things are in balance. It's a bit chewy and very satisfying. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Fruit from four sub-districts of Margaret River – Wallcliffe, Wilyabrup, Carbanup and Karridale – mostly Gingin clone; maturation in barriques, 44% new . Ripe, yellow pineapple fruit, some good intensity; balanced by refreshing citrus acidity. Good example of modern Margaret River Chardonnay. (MA)
About the producer
Vasse Felix was the first winery in Margaret River, founded in 1967. Today, it is one of Western Australia’s – and the New World’s – most respected names, crafting outstanding, cool-climate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from this remote region, south of Perth.