Forest Hill Block 8 Chardonnay 2024

Tasting Notes

The Forest Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 presents a captivating nose of ripe stone fruit, such as peach and nectarine, alongside delicate white floral notes and the nutty aroma of roasted cashew. On the palate, flavours of juicy peach and crisp green apple are complemented by the subtle richness of amontillado sherry and a hint of cinnamon spice. The wine is full-bodied with a textured mouthfeel, where lively limey acidity and a briny minerality create a vibrant backbone.

Despite its boldness, the wine maintains an elegant balance, with its savoury elements adding complexity. The finish is long, focused, and smooth, leaving a lingering impression of fine structure and depth.

Perfect Pairings

This Chardonnay is a versatile food companion, pairing beautifully with rich seafood dishes like grilled lobster or pan-seared scallops. It also complements roasted chicken, creamy pasta dishes, and soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert. The wine’s complexity and texture make it ideal for pairing with charcuterie or even a selection of roasted nuts.

Additional Information

• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Region: Great Southern, Western Australia
• Cellaring Potential: 10-15 years
• Closure: Screwcap (for freshness and longevity)
• Style: Full-bodied, complex white wine
• Serving Temperature: Best served between 10°C and 12°C

Awards

• Ray Jordan – 96 Pts
  “An incredibly powerful and layered chardonnay showing some distinctive winemaking artefacts that have been well managed with the quality fruit. On the nose, a struck match aroma lifts. A light lees influence and some malolactic fermentation have enhanced the palate feel. Lemon, savoury brioche characters and a little honeycomb on the palate with a dry minerality defining the finish”
• Wine Companion – 95 pts
  Mike Bennie on the 2023 Block 8 Chardonnay: “This is quite a toasty, oak-laden chardonnay, but finds good power from fruit character. There’s refreshing mineral veins, frisky, limey acidity and a good dose of chardonnay 101 in stone fruits, green apple and richness of green figs. A lot on! Complex, layered and yet succulent, too. Distinct and distinguished chardonnay”

FAQ Wine Terms 🤔

• Gingin Clone: A clone of Chardonnay known for producing wines with complex aromas and flavours, including citrus, stone fruit, and a rich texture. It’s highly regarded in cool-climate regions like the Great Southern.
• New Oak: The wine has been aged in about 25% new oak, which imparts subtle flavours like roasted nuts, spice, and a soft vanilla note. It enhances the wine’s complexity without overshadowing the natural fruit character.
• Amontillado Sherry: A type of fortified wine known for its nutty, rich flavours. The slight hint of amontillado in this Chardonnay adds a unique layer of complexity, contributing to its savoury finish.
• Acidity: The fresh, limey acidity in this wine is a defining feature, providing balance to the wine’s rich fruit and oak characteristics. It keeps the wine lively and ensures it finishes with a crisp, clean sensation.

• Briny Minerality: This term refers to the subtle salty or mineral quality that can be found in wines from cool-climate regions like Great Southern. It adds depth and freshness to the wine, enhancing its overall complexity.