Coughlan Estate Chardonnay 2021 

Western Australian Chardonnay might not necessarily call to mind the Geographe region as a major player, though this outing will raise a few eyebrows otherwise. It’s ripe and generous, peach and more tropical suggestions in terms of fruit notes, melon and pineapple for sure, suggesting Gin Gin clone vines in the mix. Other elements also account well here: cut hay and soursob, the latter’s natural bite of acidity entwined with yellow grapefruit tang to drive the palate with a fair bit of underlying tenacity, as well as coating the mouth with a moreish pithiness, finishing with a memorable lip-smack. Lots of goodness to consider.