Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay 2023

Tasting Notes

🔷 Colour – Pale gold with a hint of green, radiating freshness and vitality.

🔷 Aroma – Enticing aromas of ripe peaches, toasted cashews, and subtle white pepper, enriched with a touch of creamed honey and nutty lees.

🔷 Palate – A creamy, textured mouthfeel delivering layers of nectarine, candied pecans, and poached pears. Savoury notes of butterscotch and crème brûlée, balanced by bright acidity and a refreshing finish.

🔷 Finish – Clean, crisp, and slightly grapefruit-infused, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.

Awards

96pts Halliday Wine Companion “While it comes out as a bit of a powerhouse flavour-wise and in structure, this is backed up by fine acidity, driving this long. It also keeps the substantional flavours of savoury oak, creamed-honey lees and grapefuirt in check. Some flinty, funky suohpides add an extra dimensions of complexity as it continues to build on the palate.” Jane Faulkner.

96pts Ray Jordan “Plenty happening in this funky and wild expression of Chardonnay. On the nose, an intense combination of butterscotch, roasted cashew and lemon curd with vanilla bean lift revel. The palate is layered with a complete maze and intricate weave of flavours reflecting the initial aromas. And then a minerally finish completes a very good wine.”

95pts Gary Walsh, Winefront “This is all Gin Gin clone from Karridale. Malo and 40% new oak. Rich lime, peach, a fair clip of toasty spicy oak and struck match, salted pistachio and mint. It’s a powerful wine, lots of flavour and presence, a rich gloss to it, though it’s cut by bright citrus acidity, cloves and plenty of grip giving it a tactile intensity, nutty and tangy on a finish of excellent length. It’s Margaret River Chardonnay in full flight. Very good. Impressive wine.”

96pts Shanteh Wale, Winepilot “To many Chardonnay lovers, the aroma of this wine will have you swooning. Sliced pineapple, peach cheeks and the classiest of new oak wafts from the galss. Mace, vanilla bean and buttered sourdough toast. acidity increases over long moments and provides a zingy note to the lucsious creamy mounthfeel of cashew, butter and lemon curd. Flavour last for days and it’s near impossible not to be searching for your glass for the next sip. Beguiling and a real work of beauty. Drink with bubbling macaroni and cheese. You can thank me later.”

Food Pairings

🔷 Roasted Chicken – A rich, creamy wine that perfectly complements roasted chicken with a buttery sauce.

🔷 Grilled Lobster – The rich texture and acidity balance beautifully with garlic butter lobster.

🔷 Butternut Squash Risotto – The sweet nuttiness of the squash enhances the wine’s complexity.

🔷 Soft Cheeses – A perfect match for soft, creamy cheeses like brie or camembert.

🔷 Seafood Pasta – Especially with butter-poached lobster, the wine elevates the indulgence.

Winemaking & Natural Practices

Crafted from the renowned Gin Gin clone, this Chardonnay undergoes 10 months of maturation in French oak puncheons (1/3 new, 2/3 used). The wine is aged on lees (sur lie) to add richness and depth.

Storage & Serving Tips

🔷 Best Serving Temperature – 10–12°C to highlight its freshness and vibrant acidity.

🔷 Storage – Store in a cool, dark place to allow the wine to mature and develop further.

🔷 Decanting – No decanting necessary, though letting the wine breathe for a few minutes enhances its aromas.

FAQ

❓ What is the Gin Gin clone?
A high-quality Chardonnay clone known for its aromatic intensity and balanced acidity, producing wines that are both rich and fresh.

❓ Why use oak puncheons for aging?
Puncheons provide a subtle oak influence without overwhelming the fruit, allowing the wine to develop complexity while maintaining freshness.

❓ What does ‘sur lie’ maturation mean?
The wine is aged on its lees (dead yeast cells), which adds texture and depth to the wine by imparting additional flavour compounds.

❓ How long can I cellar this wine?
This Chardonnay has a cellaring potential of 5-10 years, with its complexity increasing as it ages.

❓ Why is this a collector’s wine?
Crafted with exceptional quality and precision, it has received high praise year after year, making it a worthy addition to any wine collection.

Additional Info

🔷 Region – Margaret River, WA

🔷 Variety – 100% Chardonnay (Gin Gin clone)

🔷 Vintage – 2023

🔷 Alcohol – 13.5%

🔷 Cellaring Potential – 5-10 years

🔷 Closure – Screwcap