2023 McHenry Hohnen Laterite Hills Chardonnay Magnum

Flinty and complex, with delicate notes of kaffir lime, nectarine pulp, and zesty ginger leaping from the glass. Wild ferment characters add further depth, revealing hints of cashew and flint rock.

The palate is powerful yet crystalline, marked by a mealy texture and a long, savoury acid line—hallmarks of southern Margaret River. A wine that reflects place and season, and stays true to our farming and winemaking philosophy.

Vineyard: Sourced from a selection of premium sites across southern Margaret River, including our own estate vineyards—Calgardup Brook, Hazel’s, and Burnside—as well as trusted regional growers. Calgardup Brook brings mineral drive and aromatic lift from its schisty coastal soils, while Hazel’s Vineyard, our certified biodynamic site, adds structure and textural weight. Burnside contributes fruit intensity and finesse from its granite and ironstone gravel soils. Together, these sites offer a layered, regional expression of Margaret River Chardonnay, underpinned by our commitment to low-intervention farming and precision winemaking.

2023 was a season of great balance, producing wines of grace, perfume, and longevity. Winter was wet and cold, followed by a cool but dry spring that provided excellent conditions for flowering and secured healthy yields. Summer remained dry with relatively mild temperatures through to January. The region experienced ideal conditions—warm, sunny, and breezy days without any heat stress on the vines. Consistent diurnal temperature variation throughout the season led to a highly aromatic vintage, with impressive freshness and perfect phenological ripeness.

Farmed with the same philosophy and crafted using the same techniques as our single vineyard Chardonnays. All fruit was hand-picked and whole bunch pressed, with wild yeast fermentation carried out in French oak barriques and puncheons (25% new) using full solids. Barrels were sulphured shortly after primary fermentation, and no malolactic fermentation was undertaken in 2022. The wine was matured in oak for 10 months before being bottled in January 2023.