This is the wine that the winemakers at Pierro drink on their day off. They have seen the hand-picked grapes, gently cold pressed and put into mature oak for 10 months to give the wine complexity yet elegant simplicity.

The citrus rind and grapefuit lead the palate to an overall fine yet textural journey. Cape Mentelle Chardonnay had this distinctive minerally line too, apparent with focussed refreshing acidity. Faint nuancesof soft nougat and cashews also add to what is a harmonious balance and an elegant and length finish.

CREDARO 1000 Crowns Chardonnay, Margaret River The Credaro family, originally from northern Italy, settled in Margaret River in 1922. Brothers Cesaro and Olympio worked in agriculture and the timber industry and helped build the regions first bridges, railways and major roads. The family also made wine every year for themselves and their neighbours. Commercial involvement in the wine industry had to wait until the 1980s, when the Credaros began supplying other established Margaret River wineries. In 2019 the family owned and/or managed 110ha of vineyard over five sites across the region and built a 1200-tonne winery near Yallingup in northern Margaret River, in 2003. 1000 crowns (nominally $500) was the Credaro familys original investment and the name is today applied to their flagship wines. The 1000 Crowns Chardonnay typically shows fragrant white peach and citrus aromas with pear and nougat nuances. The palate is rich with flavours of stonefruits, grapefruit and citrus blossom complemented by a creamy texture from lees influence. A fine acid line provides a mineral framework and fruit flavours generally linger through a long, flavoursome finish.

'These Hay Shed Hill chardonnays have reached a new level in recent years, and this one is another cracker. Classically Margaret River with its powerful palate and super fruit intensity, there is a nice mix of grapefruit and pear with a little roasted cashew influence. It retains a lively freshness which makes for excellent current drinking.' - 94 Points. - Ray Jordan.

The wine displays fresh green tinges on a pale straw colour. The nose exhibits aromas of fresh cut pear and honey dew melon with some zesty citric notes. There are no overt woody or buttery aromas with the primary fruit characters expressed with clarity and definition. The palate is fresh and lively with clean crisp acidity complementing the vibrant fruity flavours. The palate has very good extension and ends clean and bright. The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is situated on a picturesque property that was established as a group settlement farm for returned soldiers from the First World War. Known as Sussex Vale the property was originally a dairy farm. The current homestead, considerably renovated, still has much of the original Group Settlement look and feel. Vines were first planted in the early 1970s. In the late 1980s the vineyard was bought by the Morrison Family and the wine brand Hay Shed Hill was established taking its name from the local reference to the hay shed located on the property. The sister label, Pitchfork, was developed to complement the single vineyard Hay Shed Hill label. A series of ownership changes saw numerous alterations to labels, wine style and distribution until the current group of partners bought back the farm and the brand in late 2006 and returned to the original concept of producing wine with integrity that expresses the quality of the site.

Pale yellow youthful green tinges, which I equate with quality young chardonnay. Aromatics are instantly very serious. Intense fruit nectarines and white peaches melding with lemon citrus beautiful French oak hovering just above the wine at the moment intense more than a cursory nod to Burgundy. The tiniest whiff of sulphides perfect for a wine of this age. When sipped, the wine shows its incredible intensity, no doubt derived from the very low yield.

Rich purple/red with a vibrant purple rim. Distinctly Margaret River; driven by aromas of blackberry, plum, bay leaf and a touch of black olive. The Merlot and Malbec add texture, balance, length and a luxurious fragrance to create a seamless and unique red. A dry, warm season was punctuated with a tropical rain event in January. This pushed back harvest and allowed for better balance during ripening. The resultant fruit had wonderful thick skins, incredible concentration and excellent varietal identity. The Cabernet was harvested late-morning, to ensure the fruit reached the winery warm to ensure a healthy, even fermentation. The Merlot and Malbec fruit was harvested during the cool of the early morning so it could be cold soaked on skins for 5 days prior to fermentation. The selectively harvested fruit was fermented over 10 days, with the Merlot and Malbec undergoing partial wild fermentation. The Cabernet remained on skins for 20 days to ensure a beautiful, vibrant colour. All elements were then matured in French oak for up to 15 months. Each individual barrel was assessed to determine which were included in the final blend.

In Margaret River, considered one of Australia's premium chardonnay growing regions, Cape Mentelle creates wines of plush texture, depth and power, yet balanced with a fine frame of acidity. This Chardonnay is predominantly from our Chapman Brook Vineyard,established in 1994 in the cool southern half of Margaret River. The cooler climate captures the freshness and vibrancy of the variety. Yellow hay with a bright gold hue. A tropical nose of yellow peaches, melon and mandarin. Generous fruit intensity on the flowing palate, rich with rock melon, pistachio, lemon curd and orange blossom, lifting with a zesty, crisp acidity.