Katnook Estate Chardonnay 2022

Stuart McCloskey, tasted 21 April 2026 "We tasted it, fell for it instantly and then (true to Accolade’s form) endured quite the wait before it finally arrived (late… again). That aside, this is immensely satisfying and a must for those (like me) who chase textural nirvana. Aromatics are subtle and add much to the wine’s intrigue. Savoury, grilled cashew, oatmeal, gentle spicing, peach skin, also with flickers of minerals. Bright, clean smelling – a distinct mineral air about the fragrance. On the palate, it’s beautifully mouth-coating, offering a fine, almost oil-slick richness that’s impeccably balanced by a cooling clarity and lift. Wine is as much about ‘feel’ as it is flavour and aroma - and here, everything aligns. Texture, energy and detail knit seamlessly together, resulting in a wine that is thoughtfully crafted, subtly complex, and driven more by precision than showmanship. The palate unfurls at its own pace, savoury-edged flavours gliding effortlessly across the tongue, carried by pitch-perfect, mineral-laced acidity. The finish is impressively long - stretching out like a winter’s night, and with a level of complexity that belies the price. Despite my opening gripe, Accolade has a canny knack for delivering high-quality wines, even at the more accessible end of the spectrum. Drink now through to 2028. It may well cellar longer, though I’m not convinced there’s much to be gained. Serve cool, not cold, in Zalto Burgundy stemware or similar."

Winemaker notes - 

Vintage: Vintage 2022 in Coonawarra was strong. Consistent and complimentary weather conditions, high quality fruitand moderate to good yields have produced an exceptional Chardonnay. 

Oak Maturation: This Estate grown chardonnay is pressed straight to oak, giving complexity to the barrel selection process at blending time. The wine is wild fermented, utilising the indigenous yeast found in the vineyard, winery and oak. The wine spent 7 months in 12% new French oak Puncheons and hogsheads, with the remainder being older French oak hogsheads. The wine underwent bâttonage to build complexity and mouthfeel.

Colour: Pale straw with green hue 

Nose: This is an elegant chardonnay, with complex aromas of wet limestone, cashew butter, peach skin and preserved lemon.

Palate: This Coonawarra Chardonnay offers both texture and drive. There are wonderful flavours of peach skinintermingling with lovely savoury tones of citrus, kaffir lime and cashe nuts. The mouthfeel is full yet driven, phenolic texture is in tune with natural acidity, the palate is long, linear and refreshing.