Whicher Ridge Henry Road Chardonnay 2019

A sweet-hearted Margaret River chardonnay if ever there was one. By which I mean there is a core of ripe, delicious, sweet fruit (NOT residual sugar sweet) to this wine that brings a smile to the face. Against a background of leesy nuttiness (the chardonnay is left on yeast lees for an extended period of time, around 11 months) rises tropical fruits, mango skin and citrus with a grapefruit pithiness and gentle spice.

It’s not shy in coming forward but along with the big personality there is a complexitiy and full-bodied appeal. It is nicely countered by some race acidity. There is no acid addition here, something worth noting since Aussie chardonnays have often been criticised in the past for the addition of acidity to counter over-ripeness leaving solid balance throughout.