2023 Credaro 1000 Crowns Chardonnay

97 POINTS

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

Restrained and sophisticated, showing white flesh nectarine, wet limestone, nougat and oatmeal nuances on the nose, followed by a brilliantly focused palate offering refined texture and bright acidity. Exquisite and poised, it's gracefully flowing to a flatteringly classy finish.

95 POINTS

Ray Jordan

A pure and expressive chardonnay from this exceptional vintage. Treated as naturally as possible with wild yeast fermentation and no malolactic. So, it retains a bright crystalline minerality through the energised palate and lifted aromas. Had about 8 months in oak with regular lees stirring bringing the textural complexity. Racy lemon palate with a faint cashew and chalky character. Precise and linear.

93 POINTS

Ken Gargett - Winepilot

The fruit for this exciting Marg River Chardonnay is sourced from two vineyards, including one in the region’s dress circle at Wilyabrup. Wild ferment, no malo and then eight months in French oak barriques, 30% of which was new. Pale lemon hue. This is a more refined, elegant and focused style. Aromas swirl through florals, white peaches, spices and notes of jasmine. There is excellent oak integration, with little more than a hint of nutmeg evident, plus perhaps a touch of cashews. A fine line of acidity with a lingering finish supported by an appealingly seductive texture. Enjoy for the next five to six years, possibly considerably longer from good cellars.

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Pineapple, lemons, hazelnuts and nougat on the nose, followed by a creamy and nutty yet bright medium- to full-bodied palate. Flinty minerality coming through.

91 POINTS

Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion

Tightly wound like a spinning wheel before it’s released – that tension! It needs more time to settle. Upfront citrus, all lemon juice and pith, some grapefruit, light florals wafting in and out. This has been aged for eight months in 30% new French barriques, with the oak barely making a mark, although acidity does. Come back to this in a year; hopefully, by then all its parts will have amalgamated as one.