Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous Delectable notes. Crystal clear pale lemon in colour. A lovely 10 year old Margaret River Chardonnay. Chloe is Woodlands premium Cru for Chardonnay. A funky nougat type note - lemons and nuts. Not as full as Leeuwin Art Series - more like near neighbours Cullen and Vasse Felix. This wine begs for seafood. Next night quite Citric. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pale Lemon in colour. More in the lean style for Margaret River as compared to the richer “peaches and cream “ style of Cuvées like Leeuwin Art Series and Pierro. The oak has been judiciously dialled back not to overwhelm the more delicate fruit profile of citrus and grapefruit. Finished off with crisp acid. Would have liked a riper fruit profile from this good vintage. Perhaps picking a little later? Tasted 29 weeks later on 1st December 2021. Developing nicely with sweet grapefruit, nectarine and pear. Xanadu still having a wonderful run on the Australian Wine Show Circuit. Tasted again on 2nd July 2022 with consistent notes. Last bottle. Great value at $30 a bottle. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Bright lemon yellow and spotlessly clean in appearance. Nose a little closed. More citrus than stone fruit on the palate- slightly waxy texture with medium minus acid. Built for the long haul when made. Great to see in a very well made Margaret River Chardonnay. Could still enjoy this in 2 or 3 years time. Xanadu has been exhibiting well in the last several years on the Australian Show Circuit. Drank my last bottle on 11th January 2021, 43 weeks after the note above. Consistent notes, great to have a mature Margaret River Chardonnay from a good producer. Made in the leaner style ( compared to Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay) and probably picked a little earlier. A good balance between citrus and stone fruit such as nectarine. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

View over the mouth of the Maroochy River up to Coolum Beach on a beautiful day. From the back label - Bindi Quartz Chardonnay is sourced from the most elevated, Quartz riddled section of our Chardonnay vineyard planted in 1988. Absolutely singing at 10 years. The oak and the fruit have melded in perfect balance. Aromas of Cashew Nut and mineral with a little nectarine. More medium weight than the full flavoured Art Series Leeuwin style from Margaret River. — 5 years ago

Nathan Wegener

9.3

SSB is a great white blend and this one is done very well. Fruity light and balanced acids. Very nice peach / pear overtones with lemon grass and minerals underneath. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

A modern style of Margaret River Chardonnay ( think Deep Woods Estate Reserve- not Leeuwin Estate Art Series which is more old school). Lees stirring Burnt match, grilled nuts and lime. Funky. The type of Chardonnay that wins Trophies at major wine shows in Australia. Tasted again 70 weeks later on 5th May 2019 with consistent notes. The above still applies. Excellent QPR at $30. — 6 years ago

Will pope

9.5

Incredibly delicious Chardonnay. I thought it was on par with Cullen and Leeuwin bottles, but 35% of the price. Amazing! — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Ripe grapefruit, almost peachy - a little funk which blew off. Enough palate cleansing acidity to make this very moreish. A delicious wine which is amazing value at only $21.50 per bottle from one of the best Chardonnay producers in the New World. A big statement I know but try his premium Mate’s Vineyard and see what you think. Had my last one 31 weeks later on 28th January 2023 at Paros on the Gold Coast with consistent notes. A few days previous we had Leeuwin Estate’s 2nd wine called Prelude which was about 50% dearer than this Kumeu Village. We preferred the Kumeu. Astounding value for money and an annual purchase for me. — 2 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

powerful and precise . Still loads to give after 10years. More powerful than it’s neighbour Leeuwin Art Series. Leaves an impact. — 3 years ago

David MacMillan

9.3

This is a Chardonnay from Mornington Penninsula, which is a wine region I was unaware of (about 45 mins outside Melbourne). I was really blown away by this wine. Reminded me of a junior version of Cloudburst. Great balance, completely electric minerality......polished but not overdone. Best surprise wine I have had here (I am not posting the wines that have been disappointing). Restaurants here are too into the Arts series from Leeuwin, which is fine but a bit over rated. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Very pale lemon in colour. Funky solids aromas / intoxicating. Lots of winemaking on show here. Great intensity - taut and lean almost quivering with pentup energy. On palate grapefruit, lime and touch of pineapple. Lots of citric acid. Certainly a different animal to Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay which is full luscious peaches and cream. This wine from Penfolds won the 2016 James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge from 630 entries. Penfolds Winemakers for years have been concentrating on making their top white wines to the same standards as their famous reds and with this Chardonnay it is clear they are on the way to achieving this. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Gorgeous earthy perfume, Forest Floor - could be Burgundian. A Tawny edge to the colour. My 2nd favourite Aussie Pinot after the Bass Phillip Reserve. Savoury cherry nuances on the palate but overall more savoury than fruit driven. Light to medium bodied. Very fine Tannins with natural acid still present. I expected more mid palate fruit for what Phillip Jones described as “one of our best vintages” to that point. They have had better ones since IMO. I would not normally taste a BP Premium under 10 years (this being the first of 4) but having tasted this I wish I had had one say four years ago. In the category of wines I buy every vintage - like the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

This should be an interesting comparison of 2 excellent new world Chardonnays. The 2014 Domaine Serene was Wine Spectators #2 Wine of 2016 and the Leeuwin Art Series one of Australia’s best Chardonnays consistently for many years - some would say THE Best. Talking about the Oregon Wine first. Flinty sulphidic notes to begin with light florals. On palate in the leaner style with the acid outweighing the fruit weight with plenty of mineral. An unusual quince character which is not unpleasant. Good balance of fruit and oak finishing with a trace of bitterness making it moreish. An excellent new world Chardonnay. My wife preferred this to the Leeuwin for its restraint and difference. Tasted again 94 weeks later on 2nd February 2020. Most impressed Pale to mid Lemon in colour. Notes of fine vanillan oak - citrus more than stone fruit. Beautifully made with great finesse and texture Medium intensity with medium plus length. Excellent. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

No formal notes - at an old friends unit at Main Beach for dinner. Always one of Margaret River’s leading Chardonnays - more in the peaches and cream Leeuwin Art Series style using riper fruit. Enough acid to carry this through to the latter part of the 2020’s. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale to mid Lemon in colour. Smells like it could be lean - Lemons and white flowers but it’s quite fulsome on the palate with white peach and a saline touch. I have to agree with Tanzer’s note with aromas of citrus peel and wet stone. Sometimes I have a high quality Australian Chardonnay like Leeuwin Art Series, Bindi Quartz or Penfolds Yattarna and wonder why I would bother with a more expensive Premier Cru white Burgundy. Once I tasted this I could see where that extra $100 went. — 3 years ago

Sam Lee

8.9

This is delicious
Crisp refreshing summery on vibe, strawy grassy on nose reflected by its citrus guava and lime lemon side with bright acidity, all lingers to finishings authentic and alongside with its aromatic character with its unique Thai lime leaves on palate
🌄
Its a good pairings with delicate dishes, thus, mushroom soup sautéed with bacon and cheese is our tonight’s choice
🥘
— 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Notes of Capsicum (red pepper), mulberry and leafy notes. A good entry level Cabernet from Xanadu. Medium bodied with all the characteristics of quality Margaret River Cabernet but a little detuned. Xanadu is one of the up and coming wineries in the west winning major trophies on the Show Circuit like Deep Woods Estate who are challenging the established Margaret River hierarchy like Moss Wood, Cullen, Woodlands, Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, Leeuwin Estate etc etc. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Nothing to add to my note from May 2018. It was a Trophy Winner from the 2012 Perth Royal Wine Show for Best WA White Wine. This was in the era when Judges were looking for a more restrained style. This wine certainly fills that bill. The next wine in the tasting was the 2009 Leeuwin Estate Art Series which blew it away IMO. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Nose and palate like a New World Chardonnay. Some funky leesy notes and some sulphidic Struck match. Trace of pineapple juice on palate. Lightly oaked with muted acid. Good Wine but the Verget is $59 and the Leeuwin Estate Prelude from Margaret River at about half this price is a better wine. Tasted 123 weeks later on 12th December 2020 with consistent notes. Certainly new world in style except lightly Oaked with that Pineapple juice still there. Interestingly I was rereading a tasting note on Leflaive Macon. Pineapple juice flavours must be a characteristic of the region. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

In the mould of Leeuwin Estate Art Series (a neighbor in south Margaret River) but not as full and lush as the Art Series. This is s more modern interpretation but still intense on nose and palate. With Grapefruit but also stone fruit and a touch of gingerbread. Great length. An excellent Margaret River Chardonnay. — 7 years ago