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)

"...loads of nougat, woody spice and creamy vanilla oak over nectarine and peach, red apple, brown lime, ginger biscuits and oatmeal. Concentrated and dense, quite tight through the finish, but trails off with minerally complexity. It's a serious, stately Chardonnay and does this all very well. 95pts. Special Value." writes Mikle Bennie in The Halliday Wine Companion. "This has turned out mighty well despite a vintage that was extraordinarily early.... The palate is quite luscious but the crisp acid and careful use of oak has tightened it to sustain a precise long finish.93pts" Ray Jordan, WinePilot.

A ripe, fleshy quaffing Chardonnay. Bright straw colour with yellow green tinged edges and a watery hue. Ripe peach and crème brulee like aromas fill the nostrils with hints of toasty oak and butterscotch also present. Fleshy and ripe, the palate features peach and tropical fruit flavours over vanillin spice and traces of crème brulee. Balanced acidity with a nicely shaped finish. Drink over the next year. Alc. 13%

Thoroughly refreshing and classy, this is a 93pt, great Value Yarra Valley beauty from an "outrageously successful Yarra Valley winery... run by husband-and-wife team Leanne De Bortoli and Steve Webber but owned by the De Bortoli family" (Halliday). "... a complex touch of freshly struck match to go with the ripe, white nectarines and pink grapefruit scents. Fills out nicely on the generous yet nicely structured and poised palate. Unbeatable value" (Philip Rich, The Halliday Wine Companion).