E. J. McDougall Chardonnay 2024
- 95
- $68
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The fruit for this inaugural Chardonnay release comes from the cool and southern Wallcliffe subregion of Margaret River. It saw full solids with oxidative juice handling, around 30% malolactic fermentation, and eleven months elevage in French barriques with the final blend resulting in 50% new. 13% ABV. Bottled January 16th, 2025. This is finespun from the outset with a complex aromatic melding of nougat, flint, grapefruit pith, nectarine and grilled nuts. A swirl of the glass unlocks further power and an undercurrent of saline twang adding savoury appeal. Power and finesse in good balance. The palate follows suit, with a creamy, pillowy texture wrapping around white peach, grapefruit, flint, fine cedar, and nougat with a cut of white grapefruit tensility. There’s excellent balance here, with harmonious texture and restrained fruit power furled within bright saline acidity and firm pithy phenolics. A shot of salinity piercing through a long finish. This is a classy and fine maiden release.
Tom Kline is a wine writer, reviewer, presenter, and educator based in Victoria, Australia. He is the Australian correspondent for the internationally respected publications Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy and Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux, where he highlights the top tier of Australian wine for a global audience. Tom also writes for leading outlets including Decanter (UK), Wine Spectator (US), and Halliday Magazine, among others. An experienced wine show judge and WSET educator, he has authored several consumer-focused wine courses aimed at making wine more accessible and engaging. In 2023, Tom was awarded Best Published Feature Article or Wine Column at the prestigious Wine Communicator Awards, presented by Wine Communicators of Australia.
