Joseph River Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2023

Think Margaret River Chardonnay dialled up a notch not only in flavour but in presence. The vintage is strong, an all-round good year, and so we see a ripe, textured Chardonnay embroidered in warm and toasty oak with yellow peach, nectarine, melon, spiced pear and baked apple with lemon curd. It’s immediately complex, rich and creamy which speaks of the region and the classic style of its number one white grape. It’s not shy. Balance is key here. Fruit is up to the generosity of oak with some long-living lemon-citrus, sweet lemon drop qualities on show in the company of lively spice cutting through the richness. Acidity plays its role well in keeping everything moving, clean and fresh.