2024 Castelli Estate Chardonnay, Pemberton

The fruit has been sourced from various vineyards in the Great Southern, which covers quite a wide area. On the nose, stone-fruited aromatics merge with some subtle citrus, mineral notes. The palate is quite flavoursome and rich, with a creamy stone fruit, nutty character emerging. Oak fruit balances are neatly tuned, and that subtle minerality clicks in at the end to sustain the finish.

92 points Ray Jordan rayjordanwine.com.au

Castelli Estate Chardonnay from Pemberton is a beautifully crafted cool climate white that shows just how exciting this misty, forest-rimmed pocket of Western Australia has become for Chardonnay. Pemberton’s vineyards sit high among towering karri trees where cooler nights, gravelly clay loam soils and slow, even ripening build refined structure and pristine acidity. Castelli ferment a portion wild in French oak barriques, with regular lees stirring bringing savoury texture and complexity. The style is modern and poised: brightness and purity first, with oak as the quiet support act.

The aromatics are elegant and finely layered. Lemon curd, white peach and nectarine meet fresh pear and green apple, all lifted by hints of jasmine and wattle blossom. Subtle toasty notes of almond meal, hazelnut and warm brioche flow in from the French oak, while a clean mineral thread whispers of wet stone after rain in the Southern Forests.

The palate is sleek yet softly textural. Citrus and stone fruit glide across a creamy mid palate shaped by gentle lees work, balanced by a lively spine of acidity that keeps everything focused. Hints of nougat, vanilla spice and a flicker of struck flint add complexity as the wine stretches long into a persistent, mouthwatering finish. Vibrant and youthful now, it will evolve over five to seven years into deeper tones of toasted nuts, honey and savoury detail while retaining its cool-climate line.

It pairs beautifully with roast chicken and herbs, scallops in brown butter, miso-glazed salmon, creamy mushroom dishes, grilled vegetables or soft cheeses. A confident and quietly luxurious Pemberton Chardonnay that deserves a seat at the table alongside Margaret River’s best.