Juniper Estate Cornerstone Wilyabrup Chardonnay 2022

The Margaret River stamp is strong on this one. It’s plush and round, filling the mouth in flavour and some mighty impressive complexity, the epitome of a modern, 21^st Century Australian Chardonnay. Modest in alcohol (12.5%), and oak (9 months in French oak), it works to its strengths – which are considerable – and that’s all about the quality of fruit and some mighty fine winemaking. Fresh baked almond croissant aromas, grapefruit, lemon, baking spices and nougat are delivered with impressive clarity and lift. Boasts real depth on the middle palate as it explores. The superlatives flow easily but, rest assured, this is a serious Chardonnay with the kind of balance that makes it enjoyable now to broach with the potential for further ageing. And it will age extraordinarily well.