Robert Oatley The Pennant Margaret River Chardonnay 2020

Australia is well known for great reds, for thrilling Rieslings, incredible fortifieds and much more, including some rather special Chardonnay, but if I were asked to predict the wine which will become our most highly regarded in say fifty years, it would be very hard to go past Margaret River Chardonnay. It is fast becoming one of the world’s best Chardies, challenging long held views of Burgundy and other regions. This example comes from the best grapes the team could source from vineyards in the sub-regions of Karridale and Wilyabrup, an even split. The Chardonnay used here is all Gin Gin clone material. The grapes are whole bunch pressed into ‘new, tight-grained, low toast’ French oak. Fermentation is with natural yeasts and the wine then spends ten months maturing in barrel. The final blend is from a ‘rigorous’ barrel selection. A deep yellow/lemon colour. This is a wine of refined finesse and all class. There is a hint of smoky oak with notes moving through peaches, ginger and limes. Great focus here, it is taut, and poised, and seems to be just waiting for the starting gun to release all its glories. A gorgeous, brilliant, seamless Chardonnay. Drink now and for the next eight years.