MEGA DEAL - McHenry Hohnen Laterite Hills Chardonnay 2021 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia

93/100 Aaron Brasher
95/100 James Halliday&nbsp (2019 vintage)
93/100 Stuart Knox&nbsp (2019 vintage)
94/100 James Halliday&nbsp (2018 vintage)
94/100 Huon Hooke&nbsp (2018 vintage)
93/100 The Wine Front&nbsp (2018 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling&nbsp (2018 vintage)
94/100 James Halliday&nbsp (2017 vintage)
93/100 Huon Hooke&nbsp (2017 vintage)
17/20 Jancis Robinson&nbsp (2017 vintage)

97/100 - Top Chardonnay Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023

5 Star Winery - James Halliday


“Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023 - Shortlisted. Ranked Top 8”.

Wine Companion Winery of the Year 2022

Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin&nbsp "Fruit from the Calgardup Brook vineyard (planted 1997) on coastal limestone loam. All single-vineyard chardonnays are made in the same way here, highlighting the differences in terroir: Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, full solids, wild ferment in barrel (25% new) and 4 months' maturation, partial mlf, fortnightly bâtonnage. Where the Burnside is granitic, mineral and fine, this is pithy, saline and expansive, with layers of cheesecloth and lanolin amongst the ripe stone fruit. More volume and density of flavour than the Burnside (neither here nor there qualitatively, simply an observation), this is sensational. Utterly."

Aaron Brasher "Complex aromas of grilled nuts, nougat, white stone fruit, white flowers and struck-match. Tight and focused on the palate, grapefruit, melon, nectarine, nutty oak and a briney edge. The acidity is crunchy and there's a phenolic touch that provides grip, structure and mouth-feel"

James Halliday "After a reticent bouquet, this springs into life on the palate with its clear-as-a-bell white peach/grapefruit varietal signature. French oak is little more than a shadow in the background, development potential unlimited." (2019 Vintage)

Stuart Knox "Medium straw-yellow colour in the glass, with a nose of roasted cashews, nectarine and hint of struck-match. Just-ripe white nectarine, bacon fat and oyster-brine fill the mouth whilst a lemon zest acidity coils it tightly across the palate. Very impressive drive and intensity, carrying it long and lingering for an age" (2019 Vintage)

James Halliday "From three estate vineyards, made in the same way as the three single vineyard wines: whole-bunch pressed, oxidative handling, wild yeast and retention of full solids, matured in tank for 3 months on lees. It has built great depth, but less length." (2018 Vintage)

Huon Hooke "Bright, light to mid-yellow colour, with a strong smoky-reductive and toasty barrel bouquet, the palate also benefiting from the added complexity this brings. Rich and savoury at the same time, with a long, harmonious and rewarding aftertaste. An excellent chardonnay in a full-throttle style." (2018 Vintage)

James Suckling " Impressive aromas of lemons and peaches here with light hazelnut notes, too. Very complex. The palate is packed with gently creamy peach and nectarine flavors. Smooth, mouth-filling finish. Drink now. Screw cap." (2018 Vintage)

James Halliday "A new line for McHenry Hohnen from three estate vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel's), the same vinification as for the single vineyard Chardonnays, blended in Oct into tank on full lees. Reflects the southern Margaret River, bright and almost savoury juiciness, zesty phenolic grip to the finish." (2017 Vintage)

Huon Hooke "Light, bright yellow hue and an intense, refined, chalky mineral aroma over honey and cool-grown restrained but concentrated fruit. A very fine, intense, compact wine with balance and charm aplenty. The finish is clean, crisp and dry, and leaves the mouth refreshed. Long, long aftertaste." (2017 Vintage)

The Winemaker "After desirable conditions during flowering, the summer started cool and wet, slowing down the growing season significantly. Conditions improved in late February, developing into a perfect Indian summer. The result is whites that are packed with energy and poise, and reds that got the benefit of a long, cool ripening periods; tannin ripeness and complex flavour developments. Alcohols are lower than previous years, even with greater physiological ripeness." (2017 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 1970’s. 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 focusses on crafting site-expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.

"McHenry Hohnen is tucked away off Bussell Highway to the south of Margaret River. The wines have bound from strength, a comment never truer than under the stewardship of winemaker Jacopo (Japo). Under his leadership, the wines have been catapulted into a new realm of quality. The chardonnays particularly exemplify that hard-to-achieve balance of pleasurable on release, and capable of graceful ageing. The move towards organics and sustainable farming has had a positive impact on the quality of the wines, and it is a delight to witness so much diversity in the vineyards - from experimental clones and new plantings, to sheep, chickens, olives and vegetables. McHenry Hohnen is an estate on the move - divert your eyes at your peril - EL."

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 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 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.