2024 L.A.S. Vino CBDB Chenin Blanc Dynamic Blend, Margaret River

Each year, Peterkin produces one of the most interesting takes on chenin blanc. In this case, it went through both barrel and amphora after wild fermentation, then received fortnightly lees stirring. The result is a wine that retains the beautiful aromatics of chenin with a slightly citrusy melon and apple tropical character, but then builds in a texture which combines richness and steeliness, delivering the wine with great poise and flair. This is a really interesting take on chenin blanc.

96 points Ray Jordan rayjordanwine.com.au

L.A.S. Vino CBDB Chenin Blanc Dynamic Blend from Margaret River is one of the most exciting and distinctive expressions of Chenin Blanc in Australia. Crafted by Nic Peterkin, a winemaker known for his inventive spirit and deep understanding of terroir, this wine epitomises the “Luck, Art, Science” philosophy behind L.A.S. Vino. It’s vibrant, textural and utterly captivating ,a wine that redefines what Chenin Blanc can be in Margaret River, combining natural energy with layered complexity and a touch of creative wildness.

The fruit comes from old vine vineyards in Wilyabrup, some of the earliest Chenin plantings in Western Australia. These dry-grown vines, rooted in gravelly loam soils over clay, produce small berries with intense flavour and naturally high acidity. The grapes are hand picked and whole bunch pressed, with different parcels treated in different ways, some fermented in stainless steel for clarity, others in French oak for texture, and a small portion on skins to bring phenolic grip and savoury depth. The wine spends time on its lees before blending, creating a dynamic, multi-dimensional expression that lives up to its name.

In the glass it gleams pale straw with golden hints. The aroma is aromatic and complex, offering pear, quince, honeycomb, lanolin, lemon zest and hints of jasmine, flint and sea spray. On the palate it is medium bodied and richly textured, with layers of ripe orchard fruit, citrus and spice lifted by taut acidity and a chalky mineral line. There’s a gentle savoury grip and a saline finish that keeps the wine precise and mouthwatering, balancing Chenin’s natural generosity with finesse and restraint.

L.A.S. Vino CBDB Chenin Blanc Dynamic Blend pairs beautifully with roasted pork, grilled scallops, Moroccan chicken, or goat cheese. It also suits dishes with spice or citrus, like Thai salads or seafood curries. Already complex and expressive, it will age gracefully for more than a decade, developing honeyed, nutty depth and remarkable length.