2022 Thompson Estate Chardonnay, Margaret River

Light colour; fresh grapefruit/passionfruit and green-herb aromas with a trace of honey and a nip of ginger. Palate is refined and restrained yet also intense and has very good line and length. Lovely wine of real fruit complexity and refinement 07 Nov 2023 Drink 2023–2034

94 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Thompson Estate Chardonnay from Margaret River is a refined, cool-climate expression of one of Australia’s most celebrated Chardonnay regions. Grown in the heart of the Wilyabrup subregion, this wine reflects the coastal elegance and mineral tension that have made Margaret River world-famous for Chardonnay. It's a wine that blends vibrancy with creamy depth, crafted with precision and a focus on preserving purity of fruit and sense of place.

The Thompson family established the estate with a clear vision: to produce premium wines from meticulously farmed vineyards using low-intervention techniques and a detail-driven approach. The Chardonnay is sourced from mature vines grown on ancient gravelly loam soils over clay, which provide excellent drainage and contribute to the wine’s structure and mineral lift.

The fruit is handpicked at optimal ripeness, then whole-bunch pressed and wild fermented in French oak barrels, with a portion undergoing malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured on lees with regular bâtonnage to build texture and complexity without losing freshness.

In the glass, it shows classic Margaret River character—aromas of white peach, lemon curd, and cashew with a touch of struck match and flint. The palate is finely structured, with stone fruit and citrus flavours framed by creamy oak and a precise acid line. The finish is long, savoury, and laced with coastal salinity.

Thompson Estate Chardonnay is a beautifully balanced wine that’s equally at home in its youth or with a few years of bottle age. Perfect with roast chicken, grilled crayfish, or soft cheeses.