Ashbrook Estate is the quintessential Margaret River boutique winery. Winemaker Tony Devitt is keeping the perfect balance between good French oak and fruit firmly in mind throughout the entire vinification process. The finished wine nevertheless remains essentially driven by the fruit, the final Cuvée exhibits good body, and good strong varietal flavours. Chardonnay grapes were picked in excellent condition, revealing attractive, full fruit flavours. Fermentation in a mix new French oak barriques and steel tanks to develop complexity, richness and intensity. The young wine then spent approximately eight months maturing in barrel whilst still on the fermentation lees.

The long, mild ripening seasons of the Margaret River gives rise to the intense varietal flavours within it's renowned regional Chardonnays. Further enhanced through barrel fermentation in high quality French oak barriques, and an extended period of lees contact, translating into a wine of complexity and richness. Subtly oaked, long Chardonnay. This estate is one of the quietest and highest achievers in Australia, maintaining excellent viticulture and fastidious winemaking!

Light straw yellow in colour. Ashbrook has an intense bouquet of varietal fruit, rich peach and melon aromas, wood characters, combining with strong and complex flavours on the long palate. It's virile aromatics and engaging palate is matched by substantial textures and luxuriant barrel ferment characters, grapefruit and vanillan, cashew, nutmeg and cloves. Powerful flavours suggest the wine will be excellent with a range of flavoursome dishes, shellfish, white meats and tempura.

Glowing green-yellow; showing the first signs of bottle development, white peach and barrel ferment French oak equally balanced and integrated, cashew characters adding to the all-up flavour, and to the considerable length. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. Rating 94 Points; Drink 2015 $32 Date Tasted Aug 08 James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2010 Edition.