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  • Cape Mentelle 331 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River, WA 6285

2022 Heritage Chardonnay

2022 Heritage Chardonnay
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$150.00
/ Bottle
SKU: CH2022H 1103947
“A true translation of our plots with power yet elegance, finely detailed like Haute-Couture!” Coralie Lewis, Senior Winemaker

In Margaret River, considered one of Australia’s premium chardonnay growing regions, Cape Mentelle creates wines of plush texture, depth and power, yet balanced with a fine frame of acidity. This Reserve Chardonnay reflects Chapman Brook and Crossroads, our two southern Margaret River vineyards. Both sites have wonderful expressive personalities that complement each other beautifully and represent a combination of both our past and present. From careful site selection many years ago through to refined and innovative viticulture and winemaking practices today. Bringing them together is a joy, creating one of the finest expressions of our unique terroir.

Appearance
Brilliant pale lemon.
Nose
Power and purity on the nose, wow! Refreshing minerality, salinity and sea spray with delicate pastry, star fruit, finger lime and yellow nectarine.
Palate
There is so much precision on the palate, it is dynamic, delicate and vibrant all at once. Many layers of complexity with white flowers, white stone fruit, oyster shell, Meyer lemon and white pepper, all intricately balanced. Never ending energy with the oak being present although smooth and tightening the palate, beautifully enhancing the length.
Blend
100% chardonnay.
Cellaring
15 years.
Food Pairing Notes
Crayfish with beurre noisette. Creamy burrata with asparagus risotto and hazelnut pangrattato. Salty, crumbly cheese like Manchego or smoked cheddar.
The Vineyard
Chardonnay is grown on our two southern vineyards, about 15 minutes south of the Margaret River township. The two sites differ greatly in terms of aspect, soil profile, temperature extremes and rainfall. These conditions result in a variation of fruit profile which highlights the vineyard site, our region and the seasonal conditions each year. During the season our focus is to ensure good canopy growth while allowing air flow and sunlight in. This naturally reduces disease risk and encourages good fruit set in early summer. The majority of our chardonnay blocks are hand harvested in the cooler early morning conditions. Our aim is to produce fruit that showcases a great expression of site, with bright natural acidity, depth of flavour and purity of fruit. The 2022 season produced the coldest and wettest start to the growing season in over five decades. These cool spring conditions slowed vine development making it later than usual. Temperatures then radically increased during summer months, with the region experiencing multiple heat waves. The weather during harvest provided ideal conditions, combining warm temperatures and low rainfall, which allowed for extended ripening across the board.
Winemaking
Hand-picked with “one plot one batch” approach, the chardonnay fruit was cooled over night before being whole bunch pressed and the juice was transferred to barrel, with all the solids, for wild fermentation. The French oak selection focused on enhancing the fruit personalities of each plot, with 38% of the barriques being new. The wines were left unsulphured for several weeks post-ferment and matured on lees for 10 months, with a stirring regime monitored by tasting to build texture and refine structure. Individual barrels were selected from the best batches to produce a blend representing the finest expression of the season, in a way that allows each individual block to shine.
Analysis
13.1% alcohol 6.24 g/l total acidity 3.14 pH Suitable for vegans

WA Wine Review 2025

Ray Jordan
96

Makes a quantum leap on many levels. Subtle florals of lemon and grapefruit with a little mealy lightly roasted almond character. The palate delivers with restraint and control but there is a deep and penetrating core with a neat savoury element. Traces of seas shell and lemon rind with a delicate chalky limestone character.

Wine Pilot

Jeni Port
95

An assured, confident chardonnay, harmonious in both aroma and taste.
There are layers to explore: some complex, some sunny and bright, some savoury, some oak defined, some a little exotic.
Lifted aromas in peach, quince paste, mango skin, almond meal, cut pear, ginger root and toffee apple.
Bright acidity is seamlessly laid against a strong base of peach, citrus and quince fruit with some savoury influences of preserved lemon and miso. There’s a gentle nuttiness, too, and a touch of exotic cardamon and spice.
Depth of flavour and concentration will hold it in good stead for a long future.
Drink: 2024-2036

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