The impressive West Cape Howe is owned by a partnership of four WA families, including those of Gavin Berry and Rob Quenby. Grapes are sourced from estate vineyards in Mount Barker and Frankland River. Styx Gully is 100% Mt Barker grown; all the fruit from our best two blocks of Chardonnay on our Langton vineyard. Block 3 had a tiny crop with rich fruit flavours, Block 25 has deeper soils, a better crop and ripened later; it provided the fruit with higher acidity and delicate, finer fruit flavours. Some of the parcels were handpicked and whole bunch pressed; the balance of the fruit picked at night with low overnight temperatures and processed promptly at the winery. Styx is all barrel fermented (approx 40% new) with no malolactic fermentation; the result being a complex, but still fruit driven, style of Chardonnay. “Its all about freshness and energy. Citrus and melon with a muted cashew character on the nose. The palate is finely balanced with penetrating finish promoted by a crisp chalky acidity. Has a little white flower and lime influence adding complexity. 92pts” (Ray Jordan)

Voyager Estate in the Margaret River seem to have a mortgage on this style! An attractive herbal edge on the nose is supported by a lemony/minerally palate with terrific acid and length.

The Hidden Cave range from Devil's Lair is the chance for the winemakers at this iconic Margaret River winery to express the daring and exciting edge to the regions wines. Their Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is a racy little aromatic white with exotic aromas of crushed basil and lychee that are followed by flavours of gooseberry, mango and passionfruit. All capped off with some lime zest on the finish to complete this supreme crisp dry white wine.

The palate is vibrant and bright, with flavours of ripe passion fruit, gooseberry and lychee. These ripe fruit flavours are balanced with a refreshing lemon crisp acidity.

This excellent expression of Chardonnay, partly due to only limited time in oak, is light, fresh and zesty but with inherent complexity. Pale straw in colour, this wine exhibits lifted nectarine and white blossom characters with underlying minerality and depth. The palate is clean and lively with tremendous depth of ripe stone-fruit flavour nuanced by cashew notes. A refreshing backbone of natural grape acidity provides further structure and length.

Sauvignon Blanc meets Semillon and Riesling in a rare blend, a portion of which is then matured in new French oak. "Scents of lemon curd and quince, nashi pear and almonds. The palate is much more keen and quick, a zesty shiver of lemon-lime with pink grapefruit and faint almond/nougat notes. A vibrant, tightly wound and thirst-quenching expression on hand. Very pleasing."

“Whoa! This is one zesty, super charged Sav... Pristine Sauvignon fruit to the fore in gooseberry, green bean, grapefruit and that tell-tale lingering scent of freshly cut grass... A good example of what the Great Southern can bring to the grape... Bright, unadorned and delish.” says Jeni Port, WinePilot. Mike Bennie in The Halliday Wine Companion agrees, finding it"Refreshing, bright, some lively, chalky textural nuances – this does a good job with the variety, lending complexity to high refreshment factor. 92pts, Great Value”.

Once & Well is an elegant example of Chardonnay from the cool climate of Margaret River. Once & Well sets a high benchmark for this wine style. Ripe stone fruit and spring florals with hints of spice and oak on the nose, this wine has a mouth watering acidity structure that complement the richer mouthfill of the wine beautifully.