Wills Domain Paladin Hill Margaret River Chardonnay 2022

There was an early excitement about vintage 2022 Chardonnay as grapes arrived in Margaret River wineries, and, now that wines are being released, that excitement is real. This Will Domain 2022 Paladin Hill certainly makes for one WOW of a Chardonnay! Brings the Gingin clone into focus– the clonal basis for Margaret River Chardonnay’s enduring success – with a rush of lush, summer stone fruits, poached quince, grapefruit with rockpool sea spray notes that bring that added something to the aroma. So expressive, takes you immediately to Margaret River. Minimal lees stirring and 10 months in quality French oak allows the fruit to showcase rather than the winemaking, filling the background with added complex notes in almond nuttiness and buttered toast, while giving full sway to marvellous stone fruit, citrus with some juicy poached quince bite. And, so elegant and smooth and, yet, so young.  This one is a keeper – as true to Margaret River Chardonnay as you can get.