2024 Forest Hill Block 8 Chardonnay, Mount Barker

This is quite a toasty, oak-laden chardonnay, but finds good power from fruit character. There's refreshing mineral veins, frisky, limey acidity and a good dose of chardonnay 101 in stone fruits, green apple and richness of green figs. A lot on! Complex, layered and yet succulent, too. Distinct and distinguished chardonnay.

95 points Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au 

Forest Hill’s Block 8 Chardonnay is a single-vineyard expression from Mount Barker in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, an area celebrated for producing some of Australia’s most refined cool-climate Chardonnays. Forest Hill is the oldest cool-climate vineyard in Western Australia, planted in the late 1960s, and Block 8 is one of its most prized sites. This block sits on ancient gravelly loam soils over clay, which naturally restrict vine vigour and yield, resulting in small berries with concentrated flavour. The cool maritime-influenced climate, marked by mild summers and a long, even ripening season, gives fruit with pristine acidity and a clear mineral thread.

In the glass, Block 8 Chardonnay is pale straw with green flecks. The nose is complex and layered, showing white nectarine, grapefruit, and Meyer lemon alongside hints of cashew, struck flint, and subtle spice from French oak. The palate is tightly focused and elegant, with citrus and stone fruit flavours wrapped in creamy texture from wild yeast fermentation and extended lees contact. There’s a fine line of acidity running through the wine, carrying it to a long, mineral-laced finish. The winemaking approach is deliberately restrained, allowing the vineyard’s character to shine rather than relying on heavy oak influence.

It pairs beautifully with dishes such as pan-seared scallops, grilled marron with lemon butter, roast chicken with tarragon, or wild mushroom risotto. While approachable in its youth for its vibrancy and purity, it will evolve gracefully over 8 to 10 years, developing richer nutty and honeyed complexity while retaining its core freshness.