Howard Park Margaret River Chardonnay 2023

A vintage-expressive Chardonnay that reflects both a strong sense of place and season. The 2023 vintage in Margaret River was cool, delivering a long, slow ripening time on the vine and noticeably high natural acidity in the glass. That acidity brings a coiled, tight presence, it’s quite a feature and one reason why you might consider longer cellaring time, if that is a consideration. This wine has time on its side bringing peach skin, white peach, lime, lemon drop, spice and almond bread aromas. It’s early days, the middle palate is still opening up and will be an absolute treat in glorious citrus tones, green apple and bright lemon zest against a background of almond mealiness before finishing lean and dry. This is very much a wine of discovery, one that is not about to reveal all but a splash of air brings everything up if you wish to drink soon. Otherwise, you might need to be a little patient, but patience will be truly rewarded.