Made from Xanadu’s oldest vines which were planted in 1977, Xanadu’s Reserve Chardonnay has, over the last decade cemented it’s place as one of Margaret River and Australia’s greatest Chardonnays. Apart from old vines and the naturally low yielding Gin Gin clone, in the winery, the fruit is hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed followed by a natural yeast fermentation in French oak (30% new). The barrels are stirred over nine months and as with all Xanadu Chardonnays, none of the wine went through malolactic fermentation. 2018 was a particular highlight year resulting in a wine that is simultaneously powerful yet restrained with stone fruits and a hint of gun flint leading onto the palate which is textured, structured and long. Don’t serve this too cold and watch in unfold in the glass now or carefully cellar this superb wine for the next 5-8 years plus.
Now well and truly among the Margaret River elite for Chardonnay. Powerful bouquet of nectarine, vanilla bean and a cut of citrusy pear in combo. On the palate the richer stone fruit emerges with grapefruit edginess, yet maintains a creamy controlled richness. Sustained precise finish. Outstanding wine. Drink to 2028.
98 points, West Australian
"Gin Gin clone from Lagan Estate, whole-bunch pressed, wild-fermented in French barriques (30% new), no mlf, 9 months with lees stirring. It's not hard to see why Xanadu has had such show success and critical praise for its Chardonnays. This is resplendent in its generosity, yet also maintains perfect balance its grapefruit wrapped in thin gauge beeswax and honey, acidity and oak precisely where they should be." 97 points James Halliday.
"Gin Gin clone (100%), Margaret River, Chardonnay, 30% new oak.
It smells beautiful. It tastes as zesty and refreshing as it does creamy and impressive, and it sails long through the finish. Elite territory here. Preserved lemons, white peach, oak spice and zesty tropical fruit characters. It’s not a lean chardonnay by any stretch but it’s lean-is by Margaret River standards; it makes up for it in length and style, and will build more flesh as it matures." 95 points Campbell Mattinson.
"Light yellow hue, youthful, with a nougat and almond meal bouquet. The palate is intense and dry, savoury and long, with abundant elegance and style. There are lemon and grapefruit flavours on the palate: it has a citrusy style of fruit. Oak is very backgroud, almost invisible. Delicious and very appetising." 95 points Huon Hooke.
"Oatmeal and roasted nuts on the nose followed by a juicy palate brimming with sweet-lemon, grapefruit and just-ripe pineapple flavours. The palate is succulent, intense and flavoursome. Youthful and assertive. Needs time in bottle to grow and transform." 95 points Toni Paterson MW.
Gin Gin clone from Lagan Estate, whole-bunch pressed, wild-fermented in French barriques (30% new), no mlf, 9 months with lees stirring. It's not hard to see why Xanadu has had such show success and critical praise for its Chardonnays. This is resplendent in its generosity, yet also maintains perfect balance its grapefruit wrapped in thin gauge beeswax and honey, acidity and oak precisely where they should be. Drink to 2030.
97 points, Wine Companion, March 2018
Margaret River
Located three hours south of Perth, Margaret River is Western Australia’s most prestigious wine-growing region. Serious vineyard development began only in the late 1960’s following the publication of a report by John Gladstones in 1965 stating that the area had a similar climate to Pomerol or St Emilion, with low frost risk, plenty of sunshine and equable temperatures within the growing season promoting even ripening. Margaret River’s climate is warm and maritime, with some cooling influence provided by southeast trade winds. The soils derive from granitic and a gneissic rock over which laterite has formed. The region can be divided in three sub-regions: the cooler south between Yallingup and Karridale with predominantly lateritic gravelly loamy sands and sandy loams; the warm and sunnier Willyabrup in the centre with predominantly gravelly loams, but some gritty sandy loams and granitic gravels; and Margaret River in the north with similar soils, but slightly cooler temperatures. This is entirely consistent with style; the wines from Willyabrup being more generous than the highly structured wines of the north and the elegant styles of the south. Margaret River is best known for high quality Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends and top notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. Over the years, the region has established an astonishing reputation illustrating a consistency in quality and a strongly focused winemaking culture.
XANADU
John Lagan and family established Xanadu in the 1977 naming the property after Samuel Coleridge’s epic Kubla Khan or a Vision in a Dream. During the mid-1980s and 1990s Xanadu created a strong following for its muscular but energetic wines. After a brief interlude as a public company, it is now once more in private hands as part of the Rathbone Wine group. The Rathbone family has instigated a complete revitalisation of vineyard and wine making practise including lowering yields and optimising regional nuance. The 85 ha property is farmed along low input/organic lines and winemaking follows a minimal-intervention philosophy. Under winemaker Glenn Goodall, Xanadu is enjoying a major renaissance.
