Heytesbury Margaret River Chardonnay

At my Chardonnay Challenge of 6 wines with very close scores the Heytesbury finished 6th. I still gave it 95 points and a Gold Medal. HH said “powerful grapefruit and citrus - Gingin/Mendoza clones and 97 points “. A semi regular annual purchase for me.

Quite lemony, grapefruit, citrus, mineral. Nose is modern Australian Chardonnay with struck match and flint. Palate showing grapefruit, citrus and mineral and quite lean compared to other Margaret River Chardonnay icons like Leeuwin Art Series and Pierro. Minimal oak influence. Could cellar for a few more years.

Polar opposite to big Kev, lean lady with some saline words. Not a great match with San Choy Bow but a great match to my advent Chardonnay wine fridge calendar.

Very mineral. saline and sea breeze. Juicy and mouthfilling and very mineral. Long. Superb.

Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with notes of oak and spice, aged on lees add to complex nose. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and citrus lime flavors, lively acidity, notes of vanilla and oak. Medium+ finish, creamy with a nutty character. good mouthfeel ending with flinty mineral tang. Nice now!

Shimmering straw. A hugely perfumed bouquet evokes fresh, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruits, saffron, chamomile and fennel, and vanilla and sweet butter notes build with aeration. Shows superb clarity and mineral cut on the palate, offering concentrated pear nectar, Meyer lemon, hazelnut, honeysuckle and candied ginger flavors and a touch of smoky lees. Emphatically echoes the mineral and floral notes on the impressively long finish, which shows noteworthy precision and spicy cut. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, September 2022)

See several previous notes. Aromas of roasted cashew - funky leesy notes - barrel ferment characters. A light delicate palate showing more citrus and grapefruit than stone fruit characters. Leaner than an Leeuwin Art Series and the peaches and cream style. Tastes way younger than 10 years old. An exceptional Chardonnay.

Limpid yellow. Vibrant, gently oak-spiced aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits, along with suggestions of anise and smoky minerals. Stains the palate with concentrated yet lively Meyer lemon, Anjou pear and bitter quinine flavors that are sweetened by a subtle vanilla note. Shows superb clarity and minerally thrust on the strikingly long, focused finish, which leaves a suggestion of honeysuckle behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, July 2021)

2011 was a rather forgettable vintage in most parts of Australia particularly South Australia but it was good in Western Australia and the Hunter Valley which couldn’t be further apart. No other word but stunning. Sulphide funk with cashew nut and peach with oak all in perfect balance. Winner of 12 Trophies on the Australian Show Circuit and THE Chardonnay from the 2011 vintage in Australia. Excuse the torn label. I have 1 bottle left which will be consumed in the next 12 to 18 months.

This is an amazing Chardonnay - see previous notes. Still pale Lemon in colour at 10 years of age. Oak is totally integrated. Some leesy smoky notes amongst the citrus. This wine is all about intensity and has won almost every Trophy in Australia. Outstanding.