2023 McHenry Hohnen Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay, Margaret River

Pale straw yellow with some lime tints in the light. Fragrant notes of white peach, struck flint and roasting chestnut leap from the glass. Intense and driven on the palate; white stone fruits are layered with green apple zip, grilling nuts and a distinct struck flint minerality. Acidity offers compression and tension so it springs across the tongue, all coiled and taut, balancing the fruit and savoury intensity. The length is prodigious, finishing with a crescendo of white fruit and saline minerality. A superb modern Australian chardonnay that offers great value on the equivalent world stage 08 Feb 2025 Drink 2025–2038

96 points Stuart Knox therealreview.com

From a site planted in '81 by legend David Hohnen. It’s up there as one of great chardonnays from Margaret River. It’s a wine of distinction, it’s classy and distinctive due to that steep site comprising granitic/micaceous soils. Thoughtful winemaking brings out tantalising flavours of pink grapefruit, white nectarine, flint and loads of savoury attributes. The spicy oak is a subtle inclusion, the creamy lees bolster the superfine, long palate and the mouth-watering natural acidity creates a long and pure finish. Just stunning.

96 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

McHenry Hohnen Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay from Margaret River is a powerhouse of precision, texture, and coastal elegance—crafted from one of the region’s most iconic Chardonnay sites. Planted in 1981 along the banks of the Margaret River itself, Burnside Vineyard is known for its ironstone gravel soils, old vines, and cooling sea breezes that contribute to long ripening and intense flavour development. This is Chardonnay with real presence and pedigree.

The vineyard is organically and biodynamically farmed, reflecting McHenry Hohnen’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and terroir expression. The Burnside site delivers Chardonnay with lifted aromatics, taut structure, and exceptional ageing potential—thanks to its north-facing exposure, consistent maritime influence, and deeply rooted old vines.

In the winery, the fruit is handpicked and whole-bunch pressed, with the juice transferred directly to French oak barrels (typically 20–30% new) for wild fermentation. The wine rests on lees for several months with minimal stirring, gaining creamy texture and added complexity while maintaining razor-sharp acidity. A touch of malolactic fermentation may occur, but it’s always guided by taste and vintage character.

In the glass, Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay shows an intricate bouquet of lemon curd, white peach, hazelnut, flint, and a whisper of struck match. The palate is layered and intense, driven by citrus and stone fruit purity, wrapped in savoury, nutty complexity and underlined by a core of chalky minerality. The finish is long, saline, and mouth-coating—both luxurious and defined.

This is a serious, cellar-worthy Chardonnay that reflects both site and philosophy. Burnside delivers depth, power, and finesse—one of Margaret River’s benchmark expressions.