2016 Fraser Gallop Estate Parterre Chardonnay

Fraser Gallop produce their Parterre Chardonnay from the Gin-Gin clone which they feel produces fruit with higher acidity and more intensity of flavour with later ripening. The 2016 vintage was matured in a combination of new and older French oak barriques and puncheons for a period of 10 months.

Brilliant pale straw colour with a very distinctive tinge of green around the outskirts and a watery hue. Showing excellent intensity the nose yields aromatics of white peaches and dried honey that are married to biscuity oak and cashew followed by some funky matchstick notes and spicy nougat. Rich mouthfilling flavours of ripe white peaches, nectarines and dried honey adorn the palate with a fine thread of acidity providing the wine with its vibrancy. Ensuing are complexing nuances of cashew, citrusy nougat and spice. Superbly concentrated with a creamy like textural feel, concluding with a long persistent finish of juicy white peaches, dried honey, cashew, spicy nougat and subtle infusions of gun flint.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Chardonnay from the famed Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River. Fermented wild.
The last couple of releases have been on the leaner side; this release adds some weight. It’s an excellent move. It tastes of grapefruit, juicy pear and steel, both rich and seductive at once, before cedar wood and smoked spice notes lend a hand through the back half. It finishes with a cleansing rinse of acidity, but at no point is flavour left behind. This feels ripe and juicy throughout. This is a beautiful example of the chardonnay grape.
94 points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front