LS Merchants Butter Barrels Chardonnay 2026

Accolades

Joint No. 1, Top Up Wines People’s Choice WA Wine Awards 2026

After more than 25,000 votes, the Butter Barrels Chardonnay finished in a dead heat for first place. Unlike a traditional judging panel, the Top Up awards are decided by wine drinkers, making this a particularly strong endorsement of how enjoyable the wine is in the glass.

Tasting Notes

• Colour: Bright straw with a soft golden hue.
• Aromatics: Ripe yellow peach and stone fruit with fresh pineapple, jasmine and a citrus lift. Gentle vanilla, toast and buttery notes emerge from the French oak and malolactic fermentation.
• Palate: Rich, rounded and generously flavoured. Peach and pineapple flow through a creamy mid-palate, supported by grapefruit pith and a well-integrated touch of new French oak. The acidity is gentle but present, providing shape and keeping the richness composed.
• Finish: Long and satisfying, with lingering stone fruit, citrus peel, buttered toast and subtle oak spice.

The Butter Barrels Story

Butter Barrels began after it was suggested that LS Merchants make a Chardonnay inspired by the richer styles many wine lovers grew up drinking. The aim was not to create an excessively heavy or bright-yellow wine, but a ripe, creamy Chardonnay with plenty of peachy fruit and a generous influence from new French oak.

The fruit is harvested around three to four weeks later than the fruit used for the flagship LS Merchants Chardonnay. This additional ripening time builds the fuller stone fruit character that defines Butter Barrels and gives the winemakers the concentration needed to support its creamy texture and oak.

The 2026 Vintage

The 2026 Butter Barrels Chardonnay was made using the same techniques as the previous vintage, but the season has produced a slightly more classic expression of the wine.

According to the winemaker, the principal difference is greater richness and power.

This additional weight does not come from a change in the oak, lees work or fermentation. Instead, it reflects the character and concentration of the 2026 fruit.

The result is a wine that leans further into the Butter Barrels name. It has more palate breadth, greater fruit intensity and a stronger sense of creamy, barrel-fermented Chardonnay generosity, while retaining enough citrus and grapefruit pith to remain balanced.

Viticulture and Winemaking

• Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
• Variety: 100% Chardonnay
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Fermentation: Wild fermentation in French oak
• Oak: 40% new French oak
• Lees work: Regular lees stirring to build creaminess and palate weight
• Malolactic fermentation: Generous malolactic fermentation to enhance the buttery character
• Maturation: Approximately eight months in oak before racking, filtration and bottling
• Closure: Screw cap

Serving and Cellaring

Serve: 10 to 12°C. Avoid serving it too cold, as a little warmth helps the peach, oak and buttery aromas open fully.

Decant: Not essential, although 10 to 15 minutes in a large glass or carafe will reveal more of its texture and oak complexity.

Cellar: Enjoy now for its ripe fruit and creamy richness, or cellar for three to five years as the flavours become more integrated and savoury.

Food Pairing

• Roast chicken with garlic, thyme and buttery pan juices
• Grilled crayfish, marron or prawns with lemon butter
• Pork belly with apple and fennel
• Creamy mushroom pasta or risotto
• Baked camembert, Comté or mature cheddar
• Corn, pumpkin or cauliflower dishes with browned butter

What Does Malolactic Fermentation Add?

Malolactic fermentation converts sharper malic acidity into softer lactic acidity.

In plain English, it changes the impression of acidity from something closer to green apple into a rounder and creamier texture.

It can also contribute flavours and aromas associated with butter, cream and soft dairy notes. In Butter Barrels, generous malolactic fermentation helps create the wine’s rich, rounded mouthfeel.

The grapefruit pith and citrus acidity remain important because they provide freshness and prevent that creamy texture from becoming too broad or heavy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 2026 Butter Barrels Chardonnay differ from the 2025?

The winemaking is unchanged, but the 2026 vintage has produced a slightly more classic Chardonnay with greater richness and power.

It has more weight and intensity through the palate while retaining the citrus and grapefruit pith needed to keep the wine balanced.

Is Butter Barrels Chardonnay genuinely buttery?

Yes, it has a creamy and gently buttery character, but it is not flat or excessively heavy.

Lees stirring, barrel fermentation and generous malolactic fermentation create the texture, while ripe stone fruit, grapefruit pith and acidity provide freshness.

Is this an oaky Chardonnay?

French oak is a noticeable and deliberate part of the style, with 40% new barrels contributing vanilla, toast, spice and structure.

However, the fruit is harvested later to develop enough peach and pineapple concentration to support the oak.

Is it a big, old-school Chardonnay?

It takes inspiration from classic richer Chardonnay, but it is cleaner, fresher and better balanced than many of the heavily oaked styles of the past.

The 2026 is fuller and more powerful than the previous release, but it still has enough citrus and acidity to remain lively.

How does Butter Barrels differ from the regular LS Merchants Chardonnay?

Butter Barrels is made from fruit harvested approximately three to four weeks later, creating riper fruit and greater palate weight.

It also receives more malolactic influence, regular lees stirring and a generous contribution from new French oak. The flagship LS Merchants Chardonnay is tighter and more restrained.

Who will enjoy this wine?

It is ideal for drinkers who enjoy rich, fruit-forward Chardonnay with creamy texture and noticeable but integrated oak.

It is particularly well suited to anyone who finds very lean, high-acid Chardonnay a little too restrained.

Is it sweet?

No. This is a dry Chardonnay.

Its ripe peach and pineapple flavours, creamy texture and vanilla-like oak can create an impression of sweetness, but the wine is not made as a sweet style.

Should I decant it?

Decanting is not essential, but allowing the wine 15 to 20 minutes in a carafe or large white wine glass will help the fruit, oak and creamy texture open.

What temperature should I serve it at?

Serve at approximately 10 to 12°C.

If it has been stored in a very cold refrigerator, allow it to warm for around 15 minutes before drinking.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 109 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mrs W 
 
3 November 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Huge range of Western Australian wines available at great prices and delivered to your door by friendly owner Kirk. $75 orders get free delivery! What’s not to like? I have had nothing but great service from Partners in Wine and I happily recommend them
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Dean Edwards 
 
1 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I have been buying my wines from Kirk for about two years now and I have never had a bad experience or wine. I love the fact that the wines are all West Australian, so supporting local and lower carbon footprint. He delivers when it’s convenient for me and brings the wine to my door.  Wines are all good quality and well priced, especially the cleanskins. Highly recommended
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 peter kennelly 
 
9 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Great wines and great service, Proud to support a local WA business providing a high value service. Couldn't recommend highly enough
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Trevor Yardley 
 
18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
These guys have a good and growing range of Western Australian wines on offer. I've had prompt, personal service, with wines delivered by hand to my door. Would recommend to anyone looking for convenient access to WA wines.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Mike McKenna 
 
18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Good range of quality WA wines, prompt and personable service. Highly recommended supplier
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Pam Ucich 
 
18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Easy people to deal with. No delivery fee, delivered to the door. Same price or cheaper than a store.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Fiona Marsden 
 
5 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I have been ordering wine from partners in wine for 4 years. Always  great service. They have a large  selection of wa wines and offer ,discounts and specials . Wine is delivered promptly .
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Greg D 
 
4 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Very impressed with the great selection of Western Australian wines covering all budgets. Fantastic personal service from Kirk. Highly recommend if you’re chasing something a bit different.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Ron Smith 
 
27 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I've been ordering from Partners in Wine for three years now - from the UK for my sister living in Perth. Each time they've been bang on with my order including  on time delivery. Kirk has also helped me select my wines from an extensive list.  A very pleasant and friendly company to deal with. I would highly recommend them.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 John Court 
 
27 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Ordered from Uk some quality wine at great prices from partners in wine to be delivered to my son in perth AU  , had great input from Kirk who sorted some top wines at very good prices and all arranged and delivered in 2days Thanks again Kirk ,5*****allround