2022 Woodlands Brook Vineyard Chardonnay, Margaret River

For fans of richer styles of chardonnay, and I know there are plenty of you out there, well, this one’s for the taking. The plump palate is full of stone fruit, citrus and honeydew with plenty of ginger-spiced cream and nougatine. Very rich with cedary oak adding sweet spices and some phenolic grip.

94 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Woodlands Brook Vineyard Chardonnay from Margaret River is a rich, full-bodied expression of the region’s exceptional cool-climate Chardonnay. Sourced from the Brook Vineyard, which benefits from cooling ocean breezes and gravelly soils, this wine is crafted in a bold, opulent style with generous oak influence and extended lees contact. Woodlands, a family-owned estate known for its meticulous vineyard management and traditional winemaking techniques, produces this Chardonnay to highlight the power and complexity that Margaret River is famous for.

On the palate, this Chardonnay is lush and layered, offering ripe stone fruit flavors of peach and nectarine, alongside baked apple and Meyer lemon curd. The hallmark buttery richness comes from malolactic fermentation, adding creamy depth and a velvety mouthfeel. Well-integrated French oak imparts notes of toasted brioche, vanilla bean, and roasted hazelnut, enhancing the wine’s opulence without overpowering its fruit purity. A fine mineral thread and bright acidity provide balance, leading to a long, indulgent finish with lingering hints of butterscotch and spice.

This Chardonnay is a perfect match for rich, creamy dishes such as lobster bisque, roasted chicken with truffle butter, or scallops in a saffron cream sauce. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses like Comté and Gruyère. While drinking beautifully now, it has the potential to develop further complexity over the next 5–8 years.