The 2023 vintage in Margaret River was mild, long and dry, and the Chardonnays—so far—are looking to be the picture of restraint and finesse. Exciting! So here, we have the 2023 Ribbon Vale Chardonnay that is every bit the 2023 season as I was hoping for. It has notes of green pineapple, kiwi fruit, green apple, almond flowers and scratched citrus, with marzipan and those little sugared almonds that used to be the bomboniere at weddings. This is a totally different speed than the Moss Wood Estate Chardonnay, which in my opinion is a great thing. They’re different wines. This is lovely. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.