Lenton Brae Wilyabrup Chardonnay 2025

Very intriguing fruit profile. Fantastical, and initially almost aromatic. For those playing at home, Chardonnay isn’t typically considered an aromatic variety like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, which makes this all the more interesting. Kiwi fruit, sweet Meyer lemons and a dirty martini with extra Sicilian olive juice. Stick with me. There’s a smidge of gunflint and pencil shavings too, the fruit slowly blowing off to reveal cinnamon stick, most likely from the 62% new French oak. In the mouth, the fruit sits salty and pure. Concentrated, yet restrained. Pomelo, raw-but-sweet lemon juice and more timber. The oak is present, but well integrated, providing shape rather than dominance. A smart Chardonnay that rewards a little patience in the glass.

Cyndal Petty

Wine Critic at Winepilot

A hopeless romantic for wine and food, Cyndal is nearing 15 years in hospitality while still (just) under 30. A Chef-turned-Sommelier and award-winning wine professional, Cyndal recently left a Group Sommelier role where she curated seven wine lists across multiple venues and led the wine team to Gourmet Traveller Wine Bar of the Year—just months after opening. Now freelance, Cyndal is a wine consultant, event host, wine judge, and wine writer. Passionate about sharing wine’s story with the world, she brings a fresh voice and creative solutions to the industry. After studying and traveling through most of her 20s, she’s now based in WA’s southwest, proudly embracing her role as a WA coastal cowgirl.

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