Clive Otto, winemaker at Fraser Gallop, is responsible for the pristine, pure and very fine-boned house style of Chardonnay that they are becoming known for. Couple this with the cooler year that was 2021, and we are met by a wine with poise, precision and finesse in spades. What a beauty the 2021 Parterre Chardonnay is. Juicy, glass-shard acidity is couched in very soft, enveloping orchard fruit, and spooling out through the finish is a string of briney acidity. This is a gorgeous wine, perhaps shorter lived than some of its predecessors, but it will never hang around long enough for us to find out. Handpicked, whole-bunch pressed Gingin clone, fermented wild in French oak (60/40 puncheons and barriques), matured for 10 months (33% new).

Melon, pineapple and citrus notes are underscored by barely perceptible oak in the 2018 Parterre Chardonnay. This is a ripe, medium to full-bodied example, with hints of creaminess on the mid-palate and a whirl of fruit on the finish, ranging from peach and pineapple to lime and grapefruit.

Opening to pronounced aromas of green guava, passion fruit and nectarines with suggestions of grapefruit peel, cedar and marzipan, the medium-bodied 2013 Parterre Chardonnay has a lovely creamy texture and plenty of tropical and stone-fruit flavor supported by racy acid and balanced oak character. It finishes with very good length. Drink it now to 2019+. Fraser Gallop does not currently have a USA importer.

The 2012 Parterre Chardonnay is redolent of ripe apricots, honeyed pears and lightly browned toast with hints of allspice and cashews. Light-bodied and supported by a tart acid backbone, it gives delicate stone fruit and toasty flavors through the long finish. Drink it now to 2018+. Fraser Gallop does not currently have a USA importer.

The 2011 Parterre Chardonnay gives youthfully muted aromas of green guava, fresh lemons and grapefruit with hints of mandarin peel and toasty oak. Light to medium-bodied, taut and crisp in the mouth, it has a good amount of tightly knit citrus fruit and a long finish. Still a little young, it should drink best 2013 to 2016+. Fraser Gallop does not currently have a USA importer.