2023 Mystery Geographe Chardonnay Deal No. 25

I first remember tasting this wine 10 years ago and falling head over heels in love. This was modern Chardonnay - pristine and pure, but not afraid to lay on the rich, clotted buttercream and almond pastille - a nice counterpoint to the more mainstream styles from WA's other home of Chardonnay, the Margaret River.

For the price, it delivered on all fronts: quality fruit, a smart, forward-thinking winemaker, and, of course, unbelievable praise from the critics (the 2017 vintage scored 95 points from Campbell Mattinson at The Wine Front).

So to see this sensation hit the tasting bench again makes me one excited wine writer! The 2023 vintage was phenomenal for Chardonnay in WA and this release is a pure reflection of this long, slow-ripening vintage. Pure fruit, nashi pear, and a flinty minerality, not to mention beautifully integrated, gentle oak spice. It's all there. An absolute steal for less than $25 a bottle.