Cape Mentelle Chardonnay 2023

The modern Aussie Chardonnay looks a lot like this – a place where less is more. It’s a fine juggling act and it is performed especially well in this 2023 Margaret River Chardonnay. The bouquet brings gentle toasty oak aromas rather than loud, and stone fruits and citrus sit pretty with a hint of spice. It’s welcoming. Held together tightly, firmly in structure by assertive, sherbet-like acidity it sprints across the palate in juicy citrus fruits, lemon zest, nectarine, white peach, woody spice and light hints of bush herbs and maritime salt bush. It offers more a feel of oak rather than obvious oak, a background component that brings a nice, light textural flow. Good balance throughout.