Deep Woods Estate was given one of the country’s highest wine accolades and named Australia’s best chardonnay for its 2013 Reserve.
Australia’s “first word in wine” James Halliday named the award and has published 26 editions of the Australian Wine Companion which many wine lovers consider a bible.
Mr Halliday said the winning wine was served at the 2016 Halliday Wine Companion Awards Dinner.
”The complex bouquet and palate both avoid over the top flourishes resulting in an elegant, impeccably balanced wine, with white stone fruit and nuances of cashew running through the palate and finish,” he said.
Deep Woods Estate chief winemaker Julian Langworthy said it was exciting for the winery but a lot of staff members were upset they didn’t get a bottle, with the product selling out in six days.
The wine scored 98 out of 100 in the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge and Mr Langworthy said to get an accolade was pretty cool.
“Chardonnay is extremely cool at the moment in terms of its modern style,” he said.
“There has been a huge renaissance in Australia for chardonnay and we have been recognised for a new style coming through.”
Mr Langworthy said the x-factor which made this wine stand out was the racy and mineral laden winemaking style which made it beautiful, structured and subtle.
“We focus a lot on chardonnay and cabernet at Deep Woods so for one of our benchmark variety to receive an accolade was pretty cool.”
Mr Langworthy said despite being a bit biased he believed Margaret River was the premier wine growing area in Australia which appealed to people at home and abroad.
“People are writing amazing things about the Margaret River region,” he said.
Mr Langworthy said in a good season the whole of Margaret River would crush 40,000 tonnes of grapes compared to 35,000 tonnes by a single winery where he previously worked.
“We sort of forget that it really is boutique and it really is high end and these kinds of awards are great for that sort of thing,” he said.
Vasse MP Libby Mettam said over 50 Margaret River wineries achieved or retained a five star status from Mr Halliday.
“It is obvious Margaret River is punching well above its weight in the exclusive wine brand sector,” she said.
