McHenry Hohnen Hazels Vineyard Chardonnay (Organic) 2019 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia

97/100 Wine Pilot, Angus Hughson
95/100 Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
95/100 The Real Review, Aaron Brasher
91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards
97/100 - Top Chardonnay Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023 (2020 vintage)
91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)
96/100 The Real Review (2018 vintage)
94/100 Nick Stock (2017 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke (2016 vintage)
95/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front (2016 vintage)

5 Star Winery - James Halliday (2016 vintage)

"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"

Halliday Wine Companion, Erin Larkin "All 3 single-vineyard chardonnays are made in the same manner: hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, wild fermented in barrel (25% new) with full solids and partial mlf. White spice, nectarine, coastal spray and crushed macadamia on the nose. The palate is where the mlf is evident; it creates a creamy, buttery texture that sits alongside the pink grapefruit and mandarin pith. Blossom and red apple skin round out the palate, the saline acidity forms curls of sensation as it fades."

Wine Pilot, Angus Hughson "Bright mid straw and a beautifully reserved expression of premium Margaret River Chardonnay. There is impressive aromatic precision and focus with fruits in the citrus and floral spectrum and nougat-scented oak. Also some flinty/smoky leesy elements add superb detail. It is then dry, taut and acid driven with palpable palate tension but also a silkiness and a chalky texture; love the balance and fruit purity as it unfurls. Finally, a picture of refinement and balance with a supremely long finish accented by doughy, citrus and floral complexity. This builds beautifully in the glass over time too which bodes very well for the future."

The Real Review, Aaron Brasher "Quite lifted aromas of nectarine, white flowers, nuts, bacon fat and vanilla. Powerful on the palate—white stone fruit, guava and creamy oak are all at play. Acidity is fine and focused and manages the powerful fruit admirably. There's some grip and texture that adds to the mouth-feel and the length is impressive."

Tasting Notes "Mandarin peal, white blossom and ruby grapefruit aromas give way to stone fruit and a seductive nougat element. Creamy, nutty and textured, this Chardonnay is both powerful in fruit concentration and restrained by a precise acid line. A layered wine with persistence, power and grace and a true representation of this south Margaret River vineyard just inland from the coast."

Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin "I've tasted this wine blind in pretty esteemed company (several times), the likes of Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Genevrières etc, and while it has come just under those wines in ranking, it has more than stood its ground, and has earned my unwavering respect in doing so. Powerful, layered, fragrant, balanced, rippling and exciting. Back up the car – this is too cheap currently." (2020 vintage)

Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Pale to medium straw-yellow colour in the glass. The nose lifts with flint minerality, bacon fat and nectarines. The palate explodes with power, but almost instantaneously that power is compressed again by incredibly taut acid which brings laser-like focus and drives it very long. As it slowly unfurls softer savoury elements, smoke and nuts show themselves, but that acid drive is never far away. A serious exercise in power and precision." (2018 vintage)

Nick Stock "Striking purity of pithy lemon and lime aromas here with some gentle, grilled-hazelnut complexity at the edges. The palate has a super tight, sleek and mouthwatering style with fresh lemons and grapefruit, as well as white peaches in abundance. Impressive. Drink or hold. Screw cap." (2017 vintage)

Huon Hooke "...invested with delicious complexing notes that make it much more than a simple fruit wine. Lovely. Light yellow hue, fresh and clean; the bouquet is cashew-nutty, creamy and lightly smoky … becoming cleaner and more spicy with air. It's very fresh and vibrant with intense lemon juice flavour...." (2016 Vintage)

James Halliday “A different expression of funk that backs off somewhat having made its point, and moves into elegant mode. Nice wine.” (2016 vintage)

Founded by one of the pioneers of the Margaret River winemaking region, David Hohnen, and his brother in law, Murray McHenry, an accomplished fine wine retailer. Both have been making wine in Margaret River since the early 1970s. McHenry Hohnen vineyards are 100% biodynamic. Their three unique vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel’s) produce wines that are a reflection of the land. McHenry Hohnen focus on crafting site expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.

Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces high quality Semillon-Sauvignon blends and Shiraz.

Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles from lean, to rich, creamy white wines aged in oak. Bolder, richer, full-bodied and buttery Chardonnays are made using oak and are produced in California, Burgundy, and Australia. Unoaked chardonnays such as Chablis and those produced in Chile, New Zealand, and other parts of France are leaner and often crisp and mineraly, with delicate flavors. By law, if a label says “Chablis,” it must be Chardonnay.