Domaine Naturaliste 'Artus' Chardonnay 2023
The Wine
96 Pts Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 'While it always comes out as a bit of a powerhouse flavour-wise and in structure, this is backed up by fine acidity, driving this long. It also keeps the substantial flavours of savoury oak, creamed-honey lees and grapefruit in check. Some flinty, funky sulphides add an extra dimension of complexity as it continues to build on the palate.'
96 Pts Nick Ryan, The Weekend Australian 'If Purus is a glass box in a Scandinavian forest, this is the stuffed drawing room of a stately home, adornment in abundance, a feast for the senses. The one with the lot. Gin Gin unchained. Popcorn and curry leaf, grapefruit pith and yellow nectarine, grilled pineapple and nougat. Glorious.'
96 Pts Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot 'Gingin clone grown in Karridale, wild fermentation, malolactic fermentation and matured in 40% new oak and battonage applied every two weeks. To many Chardonnay lovers, the aroma of this wine will have you swooning. Sliced pineapple, peach cheeks and the classiest of new oak wafts from the glass. Mace, vanilla bean and buttered sourdough toast. Acidity increases over long moments and provides a zingy note to the luscious creamy mouthfeel of cashew, butter and lemon curd. Flavours last for days and it’s near impossible not to be searching for your glass for the next sip. Beguiling and a real work of beauty. Drink with bubbling macaroni and cheese. You can thank me later.'
95 Pts Gary Walsh, The Wine Front 'Rich lime, peach, a fair clip of toasty spicy oak and struck match, salted pistachio and mint. It’s a powerful wine, lots of flavour and presence, a rich gloss to it, though it’s cut by bright citrus acidity, cloves and plenty of grip giving it a tactile intensity, nutty and tangy on a finish of excellent length. It’s Margaret River Chardonnay in full flight. Very good. Impressive wine.'
The Details
Variety - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Western Australia
Sub Region - Margaret River
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2023
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Owner Bruce Dukes' obsession with Chardonnay clones has brought him to the conclusion that the Gin Gin clone is the best suited in Margaret River. As such, he uses this Gin Gin exclusively with all his Chardonnays, searching for sites where the variety does best in his region.
Named James Halliday's Best Value Winery for 2020, owner/winemaker Bruce Dukes has a wealth of winemaking experience both here and abroad, including a stint at Francis Ford Coppola's iconic Niebaum Coppola winery in the Napa Valley.
His wines are made from traditional Margaret River varieties with a focus on premium Chardonnay and Cabernet that rival the best of the region.
From the top-shelf premium range to the excellent 'daily drinking' wines, everything made by the hands of Bruce is outstanding value for money!
