Robert Oatley Margaret River The Pennant Chardonnay 2021 - OWC

*All six-pack orders will also receive the smart, original wooden case*

The Pennant wines stand at the pinnacle of the Oatley family’s winemaking expression. Just three varietals are produced: Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. They are handmade wines produced in very limited quantities – from the best barrels off the most prized vineyard blocks.

Stuart McCloskey, tasted 11 June 2026 "The Pennant represents the pinnacle of Robert Oatley's Margaret River Chardonnay programme - a wine born from exceptional vineyards, meticulous selection, the judgement of one of Australia's most accomplished winemakers, Larry Cherubino, and a wine we have followed with admiration for more than a decade.

Importantly, the 2021 vintage provided the perfect foundation for Chardonnay, even if the reds found the season a little more challenging. Conditions throughout the growing season allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly, preserving freshness whilst building remarkable flavour intensity and detail. The resulting Chardonnays possess a rare combination of power, precision and longevity. 

Only the most outstanding vineyard parcels are considered for The Pennant. Following fermentation and maturation in French oak, every barrel is assessed individually, with selection based not on volume, but quality alone. The final blend is assembled from only those barrels that best capture the character of the vintage and the unmistakable elegance of Margaret River Chardonnay. 

Five years on, the bouquet is nothing short of captivating. Powerful, expansive and screams Margaret River. Citrus oil, yuzu and preserved lemon leap from the glass, accompanied by crashing waves, sea spray and a profound saline character. Notes of orange blossom, white nectarine and grapefruit pith weave effortlessly through layers of crushed quartz, chalk dust and subtle struck-flint complexity. It is one of those aromas that immediately transports you to where the wine was created. 

The palate is equally compelling. Concentrated yet weightless, the fruit glides across the palate with remarkable poise. Layers of citrus, stone fruits and mineral-laced acidity build through the mid-palate before giving way to a texture that is both creamy and crystalline. The oak is impeccably integrated, providing shape and further complexity. What impresses most is the wine's energy. Despite its depth and concentration, it remains taut, vibrant and beautifully focused.

The finish seems endless. Saline minerals, citrus zest and crushed stone linger long after the final sip, leaving a lasting impression of pedigree and a sense of place. This is entering a glorious drinking window, yet with many years of evolution still ahead (at least 6-8-years)."

Ray Jordan “This cooler vintage turned out to be an outstanding one for chardonnays, producing wines of great finesse and refinement. This one is right on the money. Aromas are immediately intense with a nougat and roasted cashew influence to the mealy grapefruit base. The palate has a light savoury character that weaves in and out of the complex maze of flavours. Terrific wine.”

Gold Medal – International Wine Challenge (IWC)

Gold Medal – International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)