Cape Landing Blackwood Chardonnay 2020

Stuart McCloskey "This is my third sample bottle (the first being over a year ago). The additional bottle age is starting to present the wine in all its splendour. That said, it’s built for the long haul and will age beautifully to 2030. The bouquet unfurls to subtle, toasty oak, a decent lick of sea salt, preserved lemon, fresh apple skin, yuzu and fennel. The wine presents a composed proposition – it expands slowly and will not rush for anyone. Wonderfully polished and graceful. I like the shape, the form and palate feel. The flavour spectrum sits on the side of ‘savoury’ (nutty, biscuity and briny). Acidity is measured and provides juicy attack and great framework. Incredible length and detail.  It's great to see such quality although, no surprise, given the pedigree behind the winemaker. Fans of Bruce’s Artus and Purus will enjoy this wine immensely. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Don’t overchill."

Erin Larkin “Fruit from the Calgardup Road vineyard, whole clusters, fermented in barrel, matured for 10 months in French oak, regular bâtonnage. Restrained, sophisticated, and with a line of saline acid that streaks down the side of the fruit (like a black striped minnow). This is long and sophisticated, with great flavour concentration. It feels effortless, and that is in line with what we have come to expect from the 2020 vintage in the context of Margaret River whites."