2022 Wild Cape Chardonnay

Wild Cape is a celebration of the raw beauty of Western Australia’s South West and is inspired by the spectacular coastline and distinct regional characteristics of Margaret River wine.

Through photographer Andrew Semark’s epic and dramatic photography, Wild Cape embodies the essence of the region where dramatic waves crash onto the coast and world-class wines are produced in this remote, pristine part of the world.

Andrew describes the Wild Cape Chardonnay photo ‘Glimmer’ as “power and beauty”, which perfectly encapsulates the richness of Margaret River Chardonnay. This richness is also captured by the orange glow of the sky and the reflection on the ocean surface and is something that Senior Winemaker Matt Byrne showcases in his winemaking. He aims to celebrate “it’s [Chardonnay] ability to show complexity, texture and fruit power without sacrificing freshness.”

colour

Vibrant and brilliant with a light, dry straw hue and a youthful green tint.

aroma

Powerful ripe, fleshy stone fruit and melon flavours only found in the best Chardonnay fruit grown in Margaret River. 

palate

Apricot, peach and tropical fruits are balanced and matched with wild barrel fermented elements of malt, cashew nut and fresh toast. A long, intriguing and massively flavoursome Chardonnay wine from an exceptional 2022 vintage.

cellaring

Best enjoyed within the next three to five year for maximum freshness.

vintage

2022 was a truly exceptional vintage in Margaret River. The season started beautifully with a wet spring and late flowering, followed by a warm and dry season, producing refined flavour, great elegance and real personality. 

winemaking

The cool, cloudy juice (free-run only) went straight from the press into French oak barriques for wild fermentation. The wine was fermented dry then chilled and lightly sulfured. No malolactic fermentation occurred to retain purity and style.

The wine was left in barrel for 11 months to mature on yeast lees before a further 4 months on lees in a stainless steel tank prior to bottling.

This is a wine made in a hands-off, pure way with pristine, first-class fruit. The result is a classy Chardonnay wine, which achieves the rare feat of showing complexity without sacrificing freshness and flavour.

region

Margaret River

variety

Chardonnay  

analysis

• Alcohol: 13.0%
• pH: 3.34
• Acidity (TA): 5.92 g/L

For the ultimate summer snack pairing, try crispy salt and pepper squid with a glass of Wild Cape Chardonnay watching the sunset by the coast.

James Suckling, November 2023

Ripe peaches and crushed tangerines with hints of dried flowers, crushed stones and praline. Medium-bodied. Textural and polished with a vivid, fruity nature and a sleek, creamy finish.

The Real Review 2023

Pale lemon hue, bright and clear in the glass. Fragrant nose of lemon zest, cashew nut and struck flint. Tight and focused from entry to finish with lemon balm, oyster shell and a hint of buttery richness underneath. There is a lot of wine here for the price

92

Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2024

This is a mighty impressive chardonnay for this price. It a wild fermented and then spent 11 months in oak on lees before more time in stainless steel before bottling. Plenty of melon and light cashew with an understated stone fruit influence. Finishes with a twist of lemon. Great wine for drinking in the short term.

90

Cassandra Charlick, Wine Pilot 2023

Wild ferment, no malo, 11 months in barrel on lees, 4 months in tank on lees. A crowd-pleasing nose, with enough fruit abundance and zip to wear the leesy savoury punch. This is lovely and bold on the palate, it’s got plenty going on and you don’t have to hunt too hard to find it all. Ripe yellow fleshy peach, white florals, and a parmesan rind finish. The rock salt salinity that kicks things off and lingers to the end is a nice reminder of the label’s namesake. There’s no mistaking this is a Margaret River Chardy. Drink now to 2026.