Chenin Blanc

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

There are so many really interesting chenin blancs being produced in Western Australia these days. This one’s from Margaret River and it’s made with natural fermentation and minimal intervention, with low sulphur and no filtration. There’s some skin contact after the wild fermentation, and it gets some maturation after the fermentation in older French oak and even some ceramic eggs....

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Here's an outstanding wine that shows the resilience of this wonderful white variety even in warm years. This one is a cracker from Margaret River. Has all that you want from the fresh, vibrant melony pear-like characters on the nose through to the deeper melon and lemon zest nuances that pick up the palate. It's vibrant, fresh, with a juicy,...

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Rodgers and Hammerstein, Simon and Garfunkel, chenin blanc, and the Swan Valley. They're combinations that just make sense. This one's a cracking wine from what was one of the best seasons for chenin in recent years, and there've been some pretty good ones. Loaded with all the tropical, dried herb, spicy, cut line characters that you want with this variety....

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

A first-rate example of chenin blanc, a variety the Swan Valley does so well. The fruit comes from Rockets Vineyard, planted by Tony Mann many years ago. Cliff has used a combination of whole bunch pressing with a very high solids component, adding deep, rich complexity, with natural fermentation further contributing to that layered feel. It has had some time...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This is a chenin that lets the guys in the Swan Valley know they don’t have it all their way with this variety. The season was kind, and it’s resulted in a thoroughly beautiful example. It doesn’t have the obvious tropical fruits of some chenins, but it still shows fine citrus, light melon and apple characters that capture the variety...

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

It was a good year for chenin in the Swan Valley, and this stacks up with any yet released from Nicola. It's balanced, has great flavour, and shows wonderful length. This captures everything you want in the variety. On the nose, you get a mix of melon and light citrus, while on the palate there’s a crunchy, crisp acidity sustaining...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This was a pretty warm season in Margaret River. The wine was created from two separate picks of the biodynamic vineyard, with the first run through retaining the high natural acidity to add some defining structure to the wine, while the second run produced the fruit that would fill the middle palate. In the end, it became a nicely integrated...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This sparkling wine from the increasingly popular chenin blanc variety was made in the traditional way and then had 5 years on tirage just before release, allowing it to develop subtle creamy characters on the palate, especially, but adding a further complexity on the nose. It has that fine natural acidity and a lovely, lightly tropical fruit character that is...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

There are many expressions of chenin blanc, from the highly tropical fruity drink-now styles through to wines of more complexity with oak or lees use. In this case, the Margaret River fruit was pressed straight to older oak for wild fermentation and regular stirring. A further 9 months in oak has added textural feel and complexity. Retains the citrus and...

South West

Chenin Blanc

It was a very warm year but this variety was ready early and missed much of the heat. Result; is a most beautiful example of this increasingly popular variety. Distinct lime, apple and pear on the nose with a little of the passionfruit varietal character. The palate is clean and crisp with a crunchy vibrant finish.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This vineyard was one of the first planted at Aravina back in 1986. The fruit is hand-picked and then whole bunch pressed to puncheons where it spent 8 months. The whole bunch pressing has added character while retaining the vibrancy throughout. Nectarine and creamy white peach characters and then a final lick of citrus to lift. A creamy textural expression...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

There are now so many really attractive chenin blanc based sparkling wines, and this is another that is right on the money. It’s a clean and crisp style with pronounced apple and pear characters, with a beautifully complexing biscuit character coming from a time on lees. Thoroughly beautiful current drinking.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

One of the best of these sparkling chenins yet from Stormflower. There is a delicacy here, but the fruit has intensity and length. Light creamy tropical fruits with a citrussy edge on the nose. The palate is light and finely balanced with a persistence through to a long finish. Don’t serve it too cold.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

I’ll bet winemaker Larry Cherubino loved getting his hands on chenin blanc from this year in the Swan Valley. Most described it as the greatest year ever for this famous variety of the valley. This packs a deep stone fruit intensity into the frame with citrus and light mango influences adding complexity. Has a rich intensity balanced by a fine...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Cape Grace has been a champion of this variety for some time. This gets about 30% wild fermentation in oak, which certainly brings added complexity and interest. Has a crunchy apple and fresh pastry character on the nose with a palate that has depth and layered complexity finished with a fine lingering acidity. Great food wine, this.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

So many good chenin blancs emerging these days. Here is a lighter and less obviously fruity style, but one that is eminently drinkable and refreshing. Has a tighter apple and melon character with a splash of citrus. Keen and linear palate with a racy crisp finish.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

A more restrained and less obviously fruity chenin from the Swan in a season that was so hot. There’s a little fruit sweetness balanced by a crisp acidity to give the palate a precise linear focus, while retaining those nice tropical notes splashed with a little lime.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Here is a chenin blanc from the heart of the Swan Valley that’s been made into a beautiful example of a sparkling wine. Has a creamy melon character with a subtle roasted nuttiness emerging. The palate is soft and flavoursome with a bright lift that extends through to a completely satisfying finish. Love that lift of melon and cut pear...

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Chenin blanc was another variety to excel in the stellar 2023 vintage in the Swan Valley. If there is a purer expression of Swan valley chenin than this, I’m yet to see it. Lightly tropical melon and citrus characters pervade on the nose. While the palate delivers a refreshing and lively expression of the variety. Has texture that makes it...

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Wow, I’ve tasted some wonderful examples of this style in the past, but this one is right up there with any of them. Shows what you can achieve with Swan Valley chenin, just by ageing in the bottle. It’s pure chenin. No oak. Starting to show subtle toasty fruit characters with a zingy acid a feature in driving it to...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This is a different take on chenin blanc showing another way this excellent variety can be expressed. It was whole bunch pressed to French oak where it was wild fermented with regular lees stirring. It’s all designed to develop complexity and bring out a rich expression of chenin. Lemon zest and stone fruit with a sprinkle of spices. Like this...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

A wine which demonstrates the versatility of chenin, a variety which is increasingly being seen in sparkling wines these days. The colour is quite golden, but the aroma is fresh and lively with a roasted nut and butterscotch infusion into the light tropical notes. A little biscuit crumble emerges with a sliced apple and cinnamon combination.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

A variety that was fully tested in this hot year and yet once again has shown its ability to perform in warmer years in the Swan Valley. It’s from old vines and was fermented in oak and tank before being brought together. There’s a delightful spicy citrus character here rather than the usual varietal tropical fruits. The palate is already...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Designed as a racy and zippy easy drinking wine for the short term. Loaded with crunchy juicy tropical fruit laced with a squeeze of lemon, a touch of sliced apple and pear and a sprinkle of spices to finish. Nice mouthwatering texture.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Even in a warm – er, hot – year, the Contis know how to manage the vineyard to produce some very good fruit. This is a slightly less intense version, but you still get the crisp clean citrussy tropical fruits on the nose and that fine crisp acid on the palate. Has a nice powdery finish. Great drinking in the...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Peterkin has made a mighty good sparkling chenin with this 2021 vintage. For me, the maturation on lees is the key, as it balances the higher natural varietal acidity creating a wine of texture and richness while losing nothing of the vibrant primary fruit characters of the variety. Distinctive Granny Smith and citrus tang with a crunchy finish.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Oh, so easy to drink. This is a chenin from a small patch in the Pierro vineyard that is now quite mature. It’s a flinty dry style with slightly muted aromas but a palate that displays a driving apple and pear character with the lift of fine citrus and an ever so subtle grassy edge. Gradual flavour build-up then releases...

Western Australia

Chenin Blanc

Oh my, we’re on to something here. Chenin blanc has been a part of Houghton from 1937 when Jack Mann created the famous White Burgundy (now White Classic) from Swan Valley chenin blanc. This has been made from old vine Margaret River chenin and is a stunning expression of a variety that continues to reveal new chapters to its playbook....

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Wow, this is a mighty good shot at this increasingly popular variety. In this case, it’s been fermented in a mix of French oak and stainless steel, but the time on lees is the key to bringing texture and richness to the palate, while the fine natural acidity keeps it true and linear. Spicy citrus and cinnamon character with a...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

The approach Peterkin takes lifts this chenin blanc into another zone of complexity and interest. Some of the fruit was handpicked and de-stemmed as part of wild fermentation in older French barriques and small amount in amphorae. The texture comes from the regular lees stirring. A heady floral minerally mix on the nose and a palate that displays muted fruit...

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

A chenin blanc that captures much of the Swan Valley and why this region is so good for this variety. It’s a slightly more restrained version than previously showing less obvious fruit though the lemon rind and lightly tropical notes on the nose are immediately appealing. The palate is more flinty and fine with a pure persistence. Has such a...

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Gosh, there were some terrific chenins from the Swan valley in ’23 and this is yet another. Everything just fits together so well. Loads of citrus character and light tropical fruit on the nose. Exquisite weight and flavour intensity on the palate with its zingy lime and lightly appley characters. What a joy to drink.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This is the first completely dry chenin blanc, the result of a program to move it in that direction. This has excellent white nectarine and peach flavours with muted tropical notes. Gets about 20% older oak which is evident on the palate. A small time on lees adds a textural dimension. It’s a little more serious with a slight unctuousness...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

A slight departure from previous vintages. This has a small amount of new oak to augment the older oak traditionally used. It’s the best yet, with lovely white nectarine and other subtle stone fruits. It has a beautiful palate with a fine natural acidity. This has a small amount of ’22 vintage which was the start of the solera system...

Pemberton

Chenin Blanc

A wine that carries a high degree of sweetness, yet the balanced acidity keeps it keen and fine without ever cloying. Notes of citrussy lime dominance with a little orange peel complexity. Beautifully focused finish. Love this style.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

Chenin blanc, the humble Swan Valley staple, was one of the standout varieties from the 2023 vintage. I don't think I can remember a better version of this variety, which continues to gain in popularity. Aromas of lemon pith, melon and pear provide so much, initially on the nose and then through the perfectly weighted palate. A cracking good wine.

Swan Valley

Chenin Blanc

A beautiful example of Swan Valley chenin blanc in this great vintage. Strikes with a burst of citrus infused tropical fruit on the nose. Lovely fruit intensity delivers a palate offering stacks of appeal. The tropical melony fruit flavours finish very long.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

Wherever you went in WA in 2023 you got very good chenin blanc and this one from the Northern end of Wilyabrup is no exception. Solids influence is an important part of Carr’s winemaking, and it shows here. After settling, the juice was fermented in old oak puncheons and after topping left for nine months. There’s been no fining and...

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

A sparkling wine that shows what a good variety chenin is for turning into sparkling wine. This has slightly more fruit generosity than previous vintages but still retains that bracing crispness and fruit energy. Careful not to chill it too much otherwise you might lose those beautiful aromatics and palate flavours.

Margaret River

Chenin Blanc

This is just so delicious as a current drinking white wine. Bursting with vibrant fresh tropical notes on the nose. A little passionfruit and citrus to add tang provide an engaging opening. The palate is crunchy and alive with so much fruit intensity. A little creamy textural feel completes an excellent wine.