2024 McHenry Hohnen Laterite Hills Chardonnay, Margaret River

What’s spot-on about this wine – you taste it and think 'that’s delicious'. That’s because it has the right combo of stone fruit and citrus, juiciness and tangy acidity, subtle oak spice with a fine layer of lees bolstering the palate. There’s an overall fineness that’s extra pleasing.

94 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

From the iron rich laterite soils of Margaret River, McHenry Hohnen Laterite Hills Chardonnay reflects the estate’s deep commitment to biodynamic farming and site expression. Founded by Murray McHenry and David Hohnen, whose family helped establish Cape Mentelle, the winery has become a benchmark for thoughtful, low intervention wines that capture the purity of the region. Laterite soils bring structure and mineral tension, while cooling ocean influences allow Chardonnay to ripen slowly, building both flavour and finesse.

A pale lemon gold with green highlights gleams in the glass. Aromas unfold with white nectarine, grapefruit and lemon curd layered with cashew, subtle flint and a gentle hint of struck match complexity. There is a composed generosity here, balanced by freshness and precision.

The palate is finely textured and beautifully structured, delivering citrus and stone fruit flavours framed by vibrant acidity and a firm mineral backbone. Nuances of brioche, almond and saline freshness build through the mid palate, leading to a long, mouthwatering finish that feels both powerful and poised. While already impressive for its clarity and balance, this Chardonnay will reward cellaring over eight to twelve years, developing nutty depth, savoury complexity and layered richness.

Seared scallops with brown butter and lemon, roast chicken with thyme and crispy skin, or a silky cauliflower purée alongside grilled fish. A spin of Debussy La Mer or something gently expansive from Brian Eno, the wine moving with the same sense of flow and quiet intensity, precise yet completely effortless.