Robert Oatley The Pennant Chardonnay 2019

Probably the best chardonnay yet under this label and a strong pointer to the quality of the ’19 vintage in Margaret River, especially for the whites. It’s been sourced from the cooler Karridale subregion south of Margaret River town and the slightly riper yielding Wilyabrup region. The power and intensity of the fruit has allowed a total new oak regime to be adopted after whole bunch pressing. It has a slightly savoury influence and the lower toasting allows the fruit to edge through. In the end a strict barrel cull was adopted to get to the final blend. A powerhouse chardonnay with a fine minerally edge to the rich nougat and lemon curd characters.