2025 E.J. McDougall Chardonnay, Margaret River

The 2025 Margaret River Chardonnay is from the Wallcliffe area in Margaret River. This is just southwest of Margaret River town and is planted to both Gingin and Mendoza clones and perhaps some other clones interplanted within. The fruit is handpicked, and whole bunches are sent through the must pump, effectively crushing/tenderizing the fruit and allowing for more phenolic extraction from the berries. The fruit is then pressed, cold settled and then sent to oak to ferment with full solids and wild yeast. Post-fermentation, the wine is only racked once throughout the 10-month élevage. Aromatically, the wine leads with pink grapefruit, white flowers, a hint of lychee (without any suggestion that this tastes tropical), summer fig, white peach, pepper and brine. In the mouth, the impact of malolactic fermentation (70% this vintage) is very subtle, contributing to a complex mouthfeel and softening of the scintillating acidity, which, given the clonal mix, is naturally very high. This is silky, precise, wide on the palate and detailed, and the length through the finish is long. Drink to 2040.

97 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, April 2026

Bright medium yellow colour; smoked chicken and electrical fire sulfides dominate the nose, the palate is rich and intense, concentrated and deep, with big impact and lingering aftertaste. Well-judged phenolics contribute to dry the finish. Some alcohol warmth lingers. A ripping chardonnay of generosity and character—although the sulfides might be polarising. Drink to 2037.

96 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, May 2026

Pale colour. Generous and minerally with ample grapefruit, bitter lemon flavours, an al dente grip, underlying marzipan notes, some creamy complexity and fresh long cutting acidity. Should develop along classical lines.

95+ points Andrew Caillard for The Vintage Journal

E.J. McDougall is the Australian negociant project of flying winemaker Edward McDonnell. He has been making wine for numerous labels and vineyards for more than two decades across Australia, New Zealand, Italy and France. For this project, he is joined by Rutherglen-born winemaker Lilian Carter whose own wine experience spans France, South Africa, China and New Zealand.