Robert Oatley Signature Series Chardonnay 2022

If someone is given a glass of a fine Margaret River Chardonnay, like this very one, and still claims to be a card-carrying member of the ABC club (anything but Chardonnay), then I simply won’t believe them. How could anyone not love these wines? The fruit here is sourced from across the Margaret River region and spends a short time maturing in French oak barriques, 20% of them new. Malolactic fermentation has been avoided – that will result in a finer, slightly leaner style with vibrant acidity. Malo provides wines which are richer in style. A gleaming pale yellow colour here. Lifted perfumes, quite aromatic and suggesting of coiled power. Stonefruits, nuts, melon, guava and peaches on the palate. The merest note of oak adds to the overall impression of a well-flavoured wine with fine and bright acidity running the length. This is a mid-length Chardy, well focused and balanced that is delicious now and over the next five to six years.