Premier Chardonnay 2022

Located in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, the Vasse Felix vineyard benefits from a temperate maritime climate, cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. The parcels destined for this cuvée are situated primarily in the best terroirs of Wilyabrup and Wallcliffe, where well-drained gravelly and clay-loam soils promote a slow and even ripening of the Chardonnay grapes. This combination of oceanic freshness and poor soils results in balanced wines that are both ripe and elegant, with excellent expression of fruit and minerality.

The Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested and then pressed as whole bunches before minimal settling. The must is transferred directly into French oak barrels for fermentation with indigenous yeasts, including a proportion of new oak. Malolactic fermentation is partial, depending on the characteristics of each batch. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in barrels for several months, with limited stirring to preserve the freshness, texture, and aromatic purity characteristic of the Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay style.

This wine reveals notes of white peach , ripe lemon , and green apple , supported by delicate floral touches and a discreet spicy character reminiscent of nutmeg. Toasty and hazelnut nuances add a refined oak dimension, complemented by a subtle mineral structure. The palate is precise and taut, with lively acidity, a well-integrated creamy texture, and a long, saline, and balanced finish that prolongs the flavors with remarkable freshness.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.