2024 West Cape Howe King Billy Chardonnay

96 POINTS

Katrina Butler - Halliday Wine Companion

Single-vineyard terroir expression is the objective of the flagship King Billy wines. The '24 vintage is the first time the quality of chardonnay from the Mount Barker site has been deemed particularly exceptional and marks the first King Billy bottling of the variety. Luminous pale gold, it carries a breeze of ozone and sea spray, priming the senses. Preserved lemon, loquat, white stone fruit, lime zest and candied ginger radiate through the core of the wine, mingling with the oak's ginger snap spice and vanillin influence. Texturally, it's saline and lip-smacking, and a veil of creamy lees softens and curtails. It's beautiful and interesting, and it meets the site-expression brief with ease.