2025 Fire Gully Chardonnay, Margaret River

From a very good Margaret River vintage. 25% new oak. 43% malo. 20-30 year old vines. Here’s a richer and more juicy style of Chardonnay with something of a creamy feel, but also has shapely grapefruity acidity to keep it on the rails. Pine-lime, some cedar and spice, generous in flavour, a little chalkiness to texture, offering excellent length with a subtle nutty aftertaste. Generous and good.

93 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

Hand picked Gin Gin clone Chardonnay fruit from the 20-30 year old Fire Gully Farm & Vineyard vines in Willyabrup, Margaret River.

100% whole bunch pressed into a combination of new, 1, 2 and 3-year-ol French oak barriques to barrel ferment, after which the wine was left to mature for 9 months.

A portion of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, to improve mouthfeel and palate weight but fortnightly battonage (lees stirring) was performed to build creaminess and texture prior to blending and bottling. Notes of pineapple, honeydew melon, lemon, lime and green apple, complemented by subtle toasty notes and a delicate, creamy mouthfeel.

Often called baby Pierro by Margaret River insiders, this Chardonnay carries the same DNA as one of the region’s cult benchmarks but in a more approachable, everyday frame. Fire Gully is made by the Pierro team from neighbouring vineyards that share the same maritime influence and gravelly soils that define the Wilyabrup corridor. The result is a wine that punches far above its price, capturing serious pedigree while staying relaxed and drinkable.

Winemaking mirrors the house style, precise picking, careful fermentation and thoughtful oak used to build texture without excess weight. The goal is balance and clarity rather than show, giving the wine a quiet confidence that feels distinctly Margaret River.

Pale gold in colour, the aromas open with white peach, lemon curd and grapefruit, followed by cashew and a faint flinty edge. The palate is medium bodied and creamy yet fresh, with stone fruit wrapped in bright acidity. Flavours of citrus and nectarine run long into a clean, mineral finish that hints at its lineage.

It pairs beautifully with roast chicken, seafood, pork and creamy pasta dishes. Drinking impressively now, it will hold comfortably for six to eight years, gaining nutty complexity.

This is cult Margaret River Chardonnay energy at value pricing, polished, coastal and dangerously good.