Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay 2022

After nearly three decades working closely with producers in Margaret River, Western Australia, renowned winemaker Bruce Dukes launched Domaine Naturaliste – his own range of highly acclaimed wines. An homage to the region where he honed his craft, Domaine Naturaliste is a space for Bruce to demonstrate his mastery of the classic Margaret River varietals. Applying decades of international and local knowledge spanning terroir, fruit selection, palate and aroma. Domaine Naturaliste was namedJames Halliday's Best Value Winery for 2020, the wines are balanced, complex and delicious.

Cradled by the Indian and Great Southern Oceans, the Margaret River wine region enjoys a gentle maritime climate of cool wet winters and warm dry summers. Plentiful, pure water and idyllic Indian summers provide superb growing conditions for many grape varietals and is also superb for people. The region’s geologically ancient decomposed granite soils are well suited to grape growing. Combined with the favourable climate and own-rooted grape cultivars, the vines and wines are alive with a vivid core flavour and generous texture. Bruce and his team ensure healthy soils and balanced vines to produce the finest quality fruit. Domaine Naturaliste Vineyard is located in the heart of the highly acclaimed Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River in Western Australia.

Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay is an artistic translation of the local Gin Gin clone into wine. It is a provocative, complex and textural wine exuding the seductive spirit of “old world” chardonnay. The vines have been managed to allow only dappled light into the fruiting zone. This promotes flavour development, low tannins and bright levels of natural acidity. The fruit is farmed in the cool southern end of Margaret River. The tiny 100g Gin Gin clusters are hand harvested at first light to preserve freshness of fruit. 

A touch of funk here, some smoky sulfides and toasty barrel derived character allied with nougat honey and toasted nuts. A wine of refinement and restraint as well as good depth of flavour, the refreshing acidity towing the flavour long through an extended finish (Karridale fruit. Gingin clone: underwent malolactic). Drink: Now-2032 - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 95 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Screw Cap