Winemaker Notes
Ashbrook's five blocks of mature Chardonnay vines were harvested over a few mornings to ensure the optimal flavor profiles of each block were captured. All fruit was hand-picked in the cool of dawn, immediately destemmed and pressed and the juice settled in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. As is their tradition, half the Chardonnay underwent primary fermentation in brand new premium French oak barriques and the remaining half in stainless steel. Both portions were matured on undisturbed lees for eight months. MLF and battonage were avoided to retain the primary fruit flavors and freshness crucial to Ashbrook's style of Chardonnay. After blending, filtration and bottling the wine was further matured for 12 months in their underground, climate-controlled cellar. The resulting wine is a sculptured combination of stone and citrus fruits balanced with the highest quality French oak. Perfectly integrated, delicious and complex and will age gracefully for many years to come.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 vintage in Margaret River was just about as good as they come for Chardonnay, and perhaps the best the region has ever seen. Time will expose that comment for being true or otherwise; however, from everything I have seen, I believe it will hold. Here, the 2023 Chardonnay is lacy and detailed, with a splay of pink grapefruit, salted cashews, white peach, chalky phenolics and crushed shells. The acidity is juicy, the flavor sapid and the finish long and persistent.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Home to some of Australia’s most elegant and long-lived red and white wines, Margaret River is situated in the farthest reaches of Western Australia. Relatively warm and dry, the region is cooled by breezes from the Indian Ocean. Margaret River takes some inspiration from Bordeaux, producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends with firm structure, mouthwatering acidity, balanced alcohol and notes of herbs and spice. For white wines, refreshing blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as complex, age-worthy Chardonnays are regional specialties.