2022 Xanadu Stevens Road Chardonnay

From an outstanding vintage in Margaret River, with fruit from Block 2 of the Stevens Road Vineyard, located on the Boodjidup Brook, about 3km from the winery. This mature, low-yielding vineyard consistently produces top-quality Chardonnay. Gingin clone fruit was handpicked on February 24th, whole-bunch pressed, and underwent 100% barrel fermentation in French oak (20% new) barrels. Wild fermentation was encouraged to add complexity and personality. The wine was lees stirred for nine months without malolactic fermentation before being bottled in November 2022.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews....
This cutting-edge and finely detailed 2022 single vineyard Chardonnay Stevens Road was planted with the Gingin clone. It is delightful from the get-go with its nuanced melon and just-ripe peach aromas. Strong, flinty tones are all wrapped in a gentle, well-integrated oak cloak. Fantastic precision and focus follow. Its shape held long and tight through to a seamless finish with subtle notes of bacon fat. This is a benchmark Margaret River Chardonnay. Drink 2029 - 2038.
96 Points
Angus Hughson - Antonio Galloni's Vinous

The 2022 season in Margaret River was warm and short, and the wines have been nutty, luxurious and richly flavored. Vineyard positioning impacts the way the wines taste, and this Xanadu Steven's Road vineyard is in a cooler pocket, just slightly to the southwest of Margaret River town. Winemaker Glenn Goodall deliberately prevents malolactic fermentation—it has become part of the house style—and this lends race and pace to the wines. So, this 2022 Stevens Road Chardonnay is spicy, nutty and electric and runs with an austere acid line. It courses through the tributaries of the fruit and enlivens the wine. This acidity can render the wines austere in their youth, but as older wines, they evolve into toasty, mineral, spicy iterations of their younger selves. Xanadu Chardonnays are exciting wines for the cellar. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2027 - 2037.
96 Points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate