2022 Deep Woods Estate Reserve Chardonnay

2022 was a truly exceptional vintage in Margaret River with ideal conditions and slow ripening of Chardonnay producing pristine fruit. The Reserve Chardonnay is assembled from two central Wilyabrup vineyards, with additional fruit coming from an excellent mature vineyard in Wallcliffe and a small amount of fruit from Karridale. The fruit is handpicked and whole bunch pressed to new and seasoned oak for wild fermentation, followed by 9 months of maturation on lees before being blended for bottling.

Other Reviews….
Sourced from the best grapes, hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, fermented in new and used French oak; only the best barrels are chosen for this wine. It is a beautiful Chardonnay, offering complexity and length to its white peach core. 96 Points James Halliday – The Weekend Australian Magazine 2023 An impressive chardonnay with notes of salted lemons, sliced pineapples, flint, sea shell, raw almonds and praline. Full-bodied, layered, concentrated and so balanced, with a delicate, sleek texture and tangy, saline undertones. It is vivid and delicious. Long. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
97 Points
JamesSuckling.com

The quality of the 2022 vintage meant that very little fruit got downgraded from the Reserve level. The quantity in this low-yielding vintage was healthy (1,000 dozen with new vineyard resources online). I maintain that this cuvée is released too early (November the year following harvest) to show its pedigree and potential, of which it is abundantly endowed. So, this 2022 Reserve Chardonnay leads with almond meal, toasted peach, apple skins and preserved citrus. There are hints of sandalwood, clove, cut fennel and star anise. The fruit in the mouth plumes around the skeleton of phenolics that shape the flavor through the finish. It is textural and complex, detailed and fleshy. This is very good! Will be better! The drinking window is conservative. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2023 – 2037.
95 Points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A regional blend including grapes from two central Wilyabrup vineyards, with additional fruit coming from Wallcliffe and a small amount of fruit from Karridale. Struck match, grilled lime and peach, almond meal, spicy oak. It’s a big mouthful of ripe citrus, pear and peach, aniseed, with toasted oak, something of an umami Parmesan rind flavour, quite juicy with some dry grip to texture, and a finish of good length. It’s a bold glass of Chardonnay, with plenty to hang on to, and I reckon it’s pretty good drinking over the medium term. Drink 2023 – 2028.
94 Points
Gary Walsh – The Wine Front