Plantagenet "York" Chardonnay 2023 - Mt. Barker, Western Australia

93/100 Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
92/100 James Suckling
Bronze - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
91/100 James Suckling (2022 vintage)
Bronze - Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2022 vintage)
Bronze - Mike Bennie Halliday Wine Companion (2022 vintage)
92/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (2021 vintage)
92/100 Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
91/100 James Suckling (2020 vintage)
91/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
90/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)

5 Stars Winery - James Halliday

Gold - Sakura Awards (2022 vintage)

Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot "A wine brimming with ripe and intense stone fruit characters from the white peach and edgy nectarine notes on the nose through to the deeply intense palate. There’s a nice cashew and creamy peach thing happening with fine acid adding precision and focus through to the finish. Really well managed wine."

James Suckling "Toasted hazelnuts, roasted apples, buttered brioche and matchsticks on the nose, followed by a full-bodied and intensely flavorful palate. Buttery and flinty, with a delicious finish."

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Bright, light yellow hue with a bouquet of malt, honey and a little smoky reduction."

The Australian "A light golden colour in the glass sets the scene for restrained aromas of stone fruit, hints of gooseberry and cashew cut through by the flintiness and flashes of ginger. It’s in the mouth that this comes into its own, the rich creamy palate brought to life by the lovely acidity on the tongue – and then a cool lime cordial of a finish."

James Suckling "This has pretty aromas of mangoes, pie crust, nectarines and lemon curd. Creamy and fruit-forward with lively acidity. Stony touch at the end." (2022 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Light yellow hue; fig and stone-fruit aromas with a subtle suggestion of oak barrel influence. The wine is rich and round, soft and generously fruited with a trace of apparent fruit-sweetness. Some alcohol on the finish. Plenty of flavour and presence here." (2022 vintage)

Mike Bennie Halliday Wine Companion "Soft and chewy chardonnay, ripe in stone fruit flavours and scents, layered with nougat and woody spices, quite a bit of soapiness and some smoky, flinty elements too. It feels like it pulls up pretty short despite some pleasing fruit characters up front, the wine a bit skittish in its balance and masked with smoky notes. The finish has a pleasing, refreshing tang. A bit lacking in balance would be the zinger line." (2022 vintage)

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit "Attractively fruited and elegantly expressed with Gala apple, fig, lemon peel and almond notes, it's gently weighted and beautifully flowing in the mouth displaying excellent fruit purity with a creamy texture and bright acidity. Beautifully composed and harmonious." (2021 vintage)

Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review "Spiced nectarine and herbal highlights lead into a brightly fruited and fleshy core. It's tightly wound and tense in its youth, but still provides plenty of enjoyment. Time will add layers and breadth. A lovely style that balances fruit and savoury nuances very well." (2021 vintage)

James Suckling "This has aromas of white peaches, lemons, fresh pears and salted butter. Creamy and fresh with bright acidity. Pretty pastry and white chocolate hints at the end." (2021 vintage)

James Suckling "Apricot stones, golden apples, cloves and roasted cashews on the nose. Full-bodied with fresh acidity and a rich, buttery texture. Vanilla and praline to close. " (2020 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Bright, light yellow colour, with a note of pineapple introducing the bouquet, followed by grapefruit and lemon, the palate round and soft, clean and dry, with appealing flavours and medium-long persistence." (2020 vintage)

Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Salted pineapple, guava, curry leaf and red apples. This is worked and savoury, with a line of taut, briny acidity that courses through the heart of it. Quite golden in colour in the glass, which is reflected in the concentration and density of flavour in the mouth." (2020 vintage)

Western Australian winery, Plantagenet is acclaimed internationally for its consistently highly-awarded, quality wines produced from its five vineyards located in the cool climate region of the Great Southern. It is known for its highly aromatic riesling, tangy citrus-tinged chardonnay, exceptional Rhône-style shiraz and suberb cabernet sauvignon. The five estate vineyards are overseen by Chief Viticulturist Jordan Ellis whose philosophy is sustainability and remaining true to the terroir of the region.

The Real Review "Plantagenet is a pioneer of the Great Southern region of Western Australia with vineyards first planted in 1986 and the first commercial winery established in the region. Celebrated for its rich heritage, the winery is owned the Lionel Samson family, the oldest family owned business in Western Australia established in Fremantle in 1829. Plantaganet has five vineyards in the Mount Barker sub region each with the unique characteristics, ancient soils and a cool maritime climate cretaing expressive wines of provenance, quality & prestige. "

James Halliday, Halliday Australian Wine Companion "Plantagenet has honed its flagship varieties into a distinct Great Southern wine style; a depth of lively flavour, seamless elegance and natural purity"

The Great Southern is emerging as a wine region of international significance and reputation. It is the largest wine growing region in Australia and is the second largest producer of grapes in Western Australia. It is a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history. The regional climate ranges from the coastal, maritime subregions of Albany and Denmark to the inland, continental subregions of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River. The predominant soils are similar to those of the Margaret River region - either lateritic gravelly sandy loams (marri country) or sandy loams deriving directly from granite and gneissic bedrocks. Near perfect conditions for grape growing has lured some of the most creative and talented winemakers to call this land their home and become part of its ancient story.

The region is known for commitment to be sustainable, and organic, and is attracting some of Australia’s best winemakers. In 2023 the region dominated the Halliday Wine Companion Awards with its Top Rated 2023 Rieslings winning 10 of the top 40 awards. Other varietals from the region also received exceptional ratings of 97, 96 & 95 points.

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.