2019 Woodlands Wilyabrup Chardonnay, Margaret River

This is the little sister to Chloe, Woodlands’ flagship estate-grown chardonnay. It is remarkably complex and charming for such a modestly priced Margaret River chardy, with creamy lees and refined fruit aromas. Oak is almost invisible. Intense and elegant in the mouth, it has a lip-smacking savoury finish. A totally delicious wine at a great price. (Screwcap)

93 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

2019 was a classic year for Margaret River, avoiding both extremes of heat and of rainfall. In fact, 2019 was indeed very close to the average vintage conditions of Margaret River in the 1980’s and 1990’s. These mild conditions were ideal for flavour development and retention of acidity, and our 2019’s are showing wonderful brightness, delicacy and balance.

Our Chardonnay is produced solely from prime established vineyards within the Wilyabrup Valley of Margaret River.

Once harvested and in the winery, the fruit was sorted and destemmed by gravity and vibration. This process is very gentle, and enhances clarity of fruit in the finished wine. 5% of this wine was also pressed as whole bunches, which we feel adds finesse. After being pressed and racked, the wine was fermented in French barrels without the addition of yeast. 20% of the barrels used in this wine were new.

Following fermentation, some batches were transferred out of barrel to retain an element of freshness in the final blend. 100% of the wine underwent spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel. In November 2019 the wine was racked together, filtered and bottled.

Our 2019 Wilyabrup Valley Chardonnay is a bright straw colour. The nose is complex – hinting orchard fruits of quince, pear, and white peach, notes of tropical pineapple, and barrel ferment ‘struck flint’. The palate displays the orchard fruits promised by the nose, and has a generous depth of fruit flavour. The finish is long and fine, with a lovely ‘wet stones’ minerality.

Bright, elegant and complex - A classic in every sense of the word. This wine will be best enjoyed from 2026 to 2029.

Pair with:
Pork medallions, finished with horseradish cream & crispy seeds.
Pan fried oyster mushrooms with garlic and thyme.