Stella Bella Margaret River Chardonnay 2022

Winemakers take note. The current trend to build middle-palate texture in Chardonnay should not come at the expense of bright fruit intensity. Here, we see what is possible when texture and fruit combine, when one doesn’t rule the other, when both co-exist brilliantly in the glass. Top fruit in a top year like 2022 helps of course, but the winemaker’s intention remains clear throughout. The fruit sings in aroma and flavour concentration: fresh cut nectarine, white peach combine with a lemon sorbet zestiness, grapefruit pith, nougat and cashew. Mouth-filling and plush, it opens up across the middle palate, aided by some discreet oak, but never loses control or nuance. It remains nicely trimmed at all times by Marg’s lively cool climate acidity. Simply gorgeous.