2024 Ampersand Chardonnay, Pemberton

A wine of impressive clarity and focus. Brings a distinct regional perspective to Chardonnay, one that is higher in natural acidity and quite restrained. The scent of lemon curd, peach, nectarine and citrus mingle with white flowers and hazelnuts. The palate is bright and zingy fresh with flinty notes, crystalline fruits, baking spices, lemon barley and sustained, concentrated stone fruit and citrus flavours. The palate is bright, balanced with leesy, flinty characters contributing an added dimension. Drink 2026 to 2032.

94 points Jeni Port for Wine Pilot, May 2026

Ampersand Estates occupies the oldest vineyard site in the Pemberton region, the former Donnelly River Winery, brought back to life by Melissa Bell and Corrie Scheepers after years of dormancy. Pemberton sits in a cool-climate pocket south of Margaret River where deep karri loam soils, generous rainfall and slow ripening produce wines of natural elegance. The estate draws fruit from its own vineyards as well as trusted growers across the region and the Frankland River subregion of the Great Southern. The wines are made in partnership with Rob Mann.

The Chardonnay blends Gin Gin and 95 clones from two well-established Pemberton vineyards on karri loam soils, Thella and Bellarmine. Hand-picked and chilled overnight before whole bunch pressing, the cloudy juice transferred directly to predominantly seasoned French oak barriques and puncheons for fermentation and nine months on gross lees. This winemaking approach builds texture and complexity while keeping the wine's natural freshness intact.

The 2024 is restrained and focused. Lemon curd, peach, nectarine and white flowers on the nose with a hazelnut and baking spice undertone from the lees. The palate is bright and crystalline with flinty, mineral characters running through concentrated citrus and stone fruit, all held together by a lively acid line and a clean, sustained finish.

The wine's citrus precision and textural depth finds a good partner in a lemon butter roasted chicken with tarragon.

Drink now through 2032.