Chardonnay is the pinnacle of white wines in Margaret River and we love the finesse and natural acidity in chardonnay from the
Karridale sub-region. Higher rainfall and humidity means there is less moisture stress down here. Cooler days and nights preserve
natural acidity and grow finesse, length and complexity.

Primary Chardonnay is made from a single block of Gin Gin clone
chardonnay at our Forest Grove vineyard. It is typified by its
minerality and complexity as opposed to fruit power, which is more our Corduroy style.
After chilling in a cold room overnight we press the whole bunches of chardonnay direct to barrel: no clarifying, no acid added, no added yeast. The wild ferment starts in 500L puncheons which are new (25%), 1yo (50%) and 2yo (25%). After 10 months on fermentation lees (without sulphur dioxide) the wine is assembled (with a small
sulphur addition) and was bottled in January 2023. We made 220
dozen.

The 2022 vintage started with a cool dry winter followed by a wet
spring which slowed down the growth and berry development. Summer was dry, benign and a hot spell during January led to picking in February. The Primary was handpicked by our own Yarri team due to a lack of pickers in Margaret River for the 2022 vintage. And didn’t they love it.

This is our first Primary Chardonnay and we are excited. Lifted pink grapefruit, wet stone minerality, curry leaf, lime brulee…the aromas keep developing on opening and warming in the glass. The palate shows focus and drive from the citrus/melon fruit, yet it
is layered with creamy barrel ferment texture, subtle smoky oak
notes and a crystalline purity on the finish. This is a gorgeous
wine when chilled but gloriously complex at room temperature. Enjoy by itself.