2023 Robert Oatley Finisterre Chardonnay, Margaret River

Robert Oatley Finisterre Chardonnay from Margaret River is a finely etched, modern Australian white that captures the essence of its coastal origins. Sourced from select vineyard sites in the cooler southern end of the region near Karridale, this wine reflects the mineral-rich soils, brisk ocean breezes and long growing season that define the southern Margaret River style. It is elegant, precise and quietly powerful.

The Finisterre range is focused on showcasing varietal purity and regional character without excess. Winemaker Larry Cherubino brings a measured, Burgundian-influenced approach to Chardonnay in this wine, using wild fermentation, gentle pressing and maturation in tight-grain French oak barrels. Around 30 to 40 percent new oak is typically used, with partial malolactic fermentation and extended lees contact to build texture and complexity while maintaining freshness.

In the glass, the wine opens with lifted aromas of white peach, lemon curd, struck flint and grilled cashew. The palate is beautifully balanced, with a core of citrus and stone fruit, subtle oak spice, and a fine thread of saline minerality running through it. It has a creamy mid-palate without heaviness, finishing long and chalky with bright natural acidity and understated power.

This is a Chardonnay that will appeal to lovers of both classic Margaret River purity and more textured, old-world styles. Pair it with grilled lobster in brown butter, roast chicken with tarragon, or a salad of shaved fennel and pecorino. While delicious now, it has the structure and tension to evolve gracefully over the next eight to ten years.