Carter Vintners, Chardonnay, 2020, Margaret River, Australia

About the wine

The Carters first planted grapevines on their Marybrook property in the 1890s. This Chardonnay is a continuation of their methods: ungrafted, unirrigated, hand-picked, natural wild yeasts and gravelly terroir on an ancient riverbank. Daily brisk sea breezes and very cool overnight temperature keep their wine fresh and pure. Fermented almost completely dry and aged in old oak barrels to maintain the wine’s crispness, with a further two years of bottle ageing before release. Tropical, toasty, buttery, mineral, it’s all going on in here.

Tasting notes

The 2020 Carter Vintners Chardonnay displays a pale straw color with green hues. The nose is rich and complex, with aromas of butterscotch, buttered toast, peaches and cream, melon, honeysuckle, lime curd, lemon, and mango, all whipped by a touch of sea spray. On the palate, it has a depth of fruit, with a sparkling layer of white-grapefruit acidity woven through apple fruit. The finish is piqued with notes of cardamom, white pepper, and coriander spice, providing a long, refined conclusion.

About the winemaker

Ryan Gosling? Ryan Reynolds? Ryan Giggs? Nope, it’s all about Ryan Carter. The Carter family have been making wine since the 1890s and Ryan has produced world-famous Chardonnay at Isole e Olena in Tuscany, Shaw & Smith in Adelaide and Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River. With viticultural practices passed down 5 generations, nothing much has changed. Ryan employs no irrigation, no grafted vines and a hands-on approach from vineyard to cellar to create wines that are adored by all.