Clandestine Vineyards Chardonnay 2021

Lovely Chardonnay from Margaret River, the Wilyabrup sub-region. From a single vineyard, the Knotting Hill Vineyard (cue the Julia Roberts/Hugh Grant jokes), which was planted in 1990, exclusively to the gin gin clone. The grapes received an eight hour maceration on skins prior to pressing and a light settling. A percentage of the ‘cloudy juice’ is barrel fermented, the rest in small stainless steel. Ten months in French oak barriques, 25% new French Mercurey oak barriques with the rest a mix of 2nd and 3rd use. Again, the second vintage of this wine for the team, with 4,800 bottles. 

Deep yellow in colour, the nose shows admirable restraint. Mineral, citrus, spices, the citrus then moving into lemony touches. Nicely textured and almost seemingly exhibiting hints of tannins on the finish, this is a lean and elegant style, with well-integrated oak and some good complexity already evident. This is a pleasure now and will continue to be for at least the next five to six years.