Bruce Dukes has been making wine in Margaret River, WA for over 30 years and he knows a thing or two about quality chardonnay. Duke’s career started with a degree in Agronomy (the science of soil management and crop production) from the University of Western Australia and then a masters degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of California. He went on to work at Francis Ford Coppola’s Niebaum-Coppola Winery in California and then had a significant tenure at the excellent Pierro Winery (where no doubt he learned a thing or two about making excellent chardonnay in WA).
THE VINEYARD
The vineyard is towards the top of the recognised Margaret River wine region where they benefit from a gentle maritime climate of cool wet winters and warm dry summers. The region’s geologically ancient decomposed granite soils are very well suited to grape growing.
Domaine Naturaliste Vineyard is located in the heart of the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River in Western Australia. Vines are 7 km inland from the ocean, the soil is a gravelly loam providing excellent ‘terroir’ for the 20 year old grapevines which produce rich and complex flavoured fruit.
THE WINE MAKING
The dry and sun-drenched summer in 2020 led to fantastic fertility, perfectly moderated by a mild winter and a long cool spring. The hot and dry start to summer 2021 then developed into some beautiful vine growth. That was followed by a cool ripening season with sporadic summer rains.
The grapes were hand picked and whole bunch crushed, with wild yeast full malolactic fermentation and aged on lees. They then spent 10 months in 40% new french oak.
“It is sleek, glassy and svelte, defined by cool acid and a mineral spool of phenolic tension. So, this 2021 Artus Chardonnay is exactly that. It is nuanced and detailed, mineral and rocky, shaped as it is by malolactic fermentation and rich, toasty oak…I love this wine.”
Erin Larkin 96+ Parker pts, Wine Advocate
THE TASTING
The Artus is a seductive wine, rich and in perfect balance there is a little butter but the acid of the fruits is still clear fresh and crisp. Pears, nectarines and almonds are all bright on the palate.
SIGHT
Bright in the glass there is strength and familiarity in the colour
25/25
NOSE
Immediately there are stone fruits on the nose with a more complex hint of spice and marzipan
24/25
PALATE
Even when served cold this wine speaks to its rich heritage there is plenty on the palate, poached pears, nectarines and almonds
23/25
FINISH
Refined and balanced, the finish has moderate acid and great length. A quality wine.
23/25
Grape | Chardonnay 100%
Oak | 10 mths (French Oak)
Seal | Screw
pH | na
Acidity | na
Alcohol | 13.0 % ABV
Drink By | 2030
Tasting Date | Sep 2023
Price | $56
REVIEWS
- 96/100 points – James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
- 95/100 points – Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
- 96/100 points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
- 95/100 points – Crispin Blackall, Almanak Magazine