McHenry Hohnen Marsanne Roussanne Margaret River 2020

Stuart McCloskey "McHenry Hohnen’s take on a Rhône classic, which is admirable to say the least. The 2020 is a blend of Marsanne (61%) and Roussanne (39%) from their Calgardup and Hazel's vineyards. Marsanne fruit was gently pressed straight to old barrels for fermentation with the Roussanne undergoing several hours of cold maceration with the skins before being pressed to a single concrete egg. Matured separately on fine lees for 6 months before coming together for the final assemblage…

The bouquet immediately unfolds to crisp apple, stone fruits, apricot, confit lemon, subtle honey, fresh ginger and lime juice. With aeration (20 minutes or so) grandma’s kitchen comes into play with comforting fragrances wafting from the glass – apple pie, buttered pie crust, cinnamon and honey toast. Needless to say – I do recommend a short decant. The palate is medium-bodied, generous, yet acidity provides firmness and a little cut and thrust. Stone fruits, saline, spice – super clean and the perfect partner to cheese straws, which we were all devouring at the time of sampling. Texture currently wins over outright flavour, which is not an unfavourable factor. Quite the contrary as, and despite its fabulous value, this has the balance and pedigree to put away in one’s cellar. I could see this really coming to life in 3-5 years. A cracking wine and immensely enjoyable (one for the summer garden). Decant and serve using Zalto Bordeaux glassware. The Burgundy stem may prove to be better – do let me know…"