Stella Bella Chardonnay 2024

Tasting Notes

• Colour – Pale straw with green hues.
• Aroma – White nectarine, peach and grapefruit, complemented by smoky gun flint and savoury almond meal.
• Palate – Juicy yellow nectarine, pink grapefruit and lime, with a hint of praline. Saline, mineral acidity gives it drive, finesse and a mouth-watering finish.

Food Pairings

• Pork in any form – roast, chargrilled or pulled.

• Grilled scallops or prawns.

• Creamy polenta with mushrooms.

• Soft cheeses like Brie or triple cream.

Awards

2024 vintage:

Wine Companion – 95 Points

2023 vintage:

• 95 Points – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Aug 2024)

• 95 Points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review (May 2024)

• Gold Medal – Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2024

• Gold Medal – Margaret River Wine Show 2024

• Gold Medal – Perth Royal Wine Awards 2024

• Gold Medal – Royal Queensland Wine Show 2024

Winemaking & Natural Practices

• Clone – 100% Gin Gin Chardonnay

• Fermentation – Wild yeast in French oak

• Maturation – 9–10 months in French oak barriques (31% new), with lees stirring

• Viticulture – Dry grown, hand-picked fruit from Southern Margaret River

Vintage Report

The 2024 vintage in Margaret River will be remembered as one of the earliest and most compact harvests on record. A dry, warm spring brought an early budburst and flowering, and the season unfolded with minimal disease pressure and very little rainfall. From mid-January, white varieties were picked in a remarkably short window, sometimes less than a fortnight, compared to the more typical four-week harvest.

These conditions set the stage for Chardonnay to truly excel. With steady warmth driving ripening, fruit reached full flavour and phenolic maturity earlier than usual, while moderate yields enhanced concentration and purity. The rapid pace of vintage demanded precision, as the fine line between perfect ripeness and overripeness meant timing in the vineyard and winery was critical.

For Chardonnay, the results are outstanding. The dry, warm ripening period produced fruit bursting with stone-fruit, pear and citrus aromatics, supported by lively natural acidity. Modest yields have delivered depth and intensity, while the cool nights preserved the hallmark freshness and finesse that define Margaret River’s world-class style.

Storage & Serving Tips

• Best Serving Temperature – 10–12°C

• Cellaring Potential – Now to 2035

• Decanting – Not essential, but opens beautifully with a little air

FAQ Wine Terms

What does “whole-bunch pressed” mean?
This technique uses entire grape bunches in the press, extracting gentle juice with minimal bitterness, which enhances finesse and texture.

What’s special about the Gin Gin clone?
It produces small, intensely flavoured berries that result in wines with high natural acidity and a trademark Margaret River energy.

Why does this Chardonnay taste ‘mineral’?
The coastal influence, combined with wild fermentation and minimal handling, brings out a flinty, saline character that gives the wine tension and vibrancy.